I was born in Lahore, Pakistan. Pakistan, although very dear to my heart, is dangerous and unstable. Many of the insecurities arise due to the fact that the country cannot develop peaceful relations with its neighbour India. The majority of politicians in Pakistan and India do not sincerely try to build Peace. Due to problems created by the paranoia in both countries, the whole South East Asia region suffers as a result.
Due to the ever more dangerous and unpredictable world, diplomacy cannot take a back seat. We have mutual enemies therefore we have to charge ahead and put past our differences to counter act terrorism, corruption, and fascism.
However tackling corruption, reducing poverty, granting basic human rights and improving education takes second stage in any country that perceives itself to be under attack by external forces. Therefore, foreign affairs and international diplomacy are the most vital aspects for building a safer and tolerable world.
For e.g. in Pakistan, despite the dire poverty and hunger, the government is unable and in some cases unwilling to help. In contrast, due to the perception that Pakistan is under threat from India, the countryis on a path to becoming the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal holder. A country that cannot feed its people somehow manages to build deadly weapons, which if used, will do as much damage as to themselves as to innocent Indians who had nothing to do with the politics of their government.
Positive foreign relations allow nations to build strong education systems and develop wealth equality for its people. There is no better example than the European Union (if we put aside the massive corruption). It was created to stop War between European countries. One hundred years ago, one could not have comprehended that France and Britain would not need to point their nuclear arsenal at each other.
The European Union made an even stronger bond with its single currency and free movement. This act has positive consequences even for people who do not care so much for politics and foreign affairs. We as a European society can experience each other's culture and history, and interact with its people.International bodies, like the European Union, should stand as an impartial negotiator and mediate foreign affairs between those that cannot put their prejudice and historical issues behind them.
