ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Tea Leaves

Making friends with the 'enemy'

An Indian writer takes a brief but meaningful day trip to Pakistan

The author at Kartarpur Sahib, a gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) in the Pakistani state of Punjab on the site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, lived for 18 years until his death in 1539. (All photos by Sonia Sarkar)

Every time I criticize India's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, I have been told to "go to Pakistan" by legions of internet trolls. For nationalist Indians, Pakistan is an "enemy" country, viewed as socially backward, regressive and a den of terrorism.

So when Pakistani immigration officials welcomed me with big smiles in early December, I thought: "Finally, I am in the enemy country. Let's see how the enemy behaves!"

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more