Key Points
- Aimen Jafri and Ritu Sharma say their shared cultural values have brought them closer despite conflicts between their countries of birth.
- Jafri and Sharma are advocating for increased people-to-people engagement between Indians and Pakistanis.
- They believe community collaboration towards common causes can go a long way in deepening relationships between the communities.
Aimen Jafri, a Pakistani-Australian community leader and former chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, has long been an advocate for multicultural harmony in Australia.
Her Indian counterpart and close friend, Ritu Sharma, shares this vision.
Despite the tensions between their countries of origin, they say their friendship stands as a testament to the power of personal connections in fostering peace.
"My relatives in Pakistan, especially those near the Line of Control, are deeply distressed by the current situation," Jafri said.
The Line of Control is a de facto boundary separating the Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
"In such times, Ritu's messages of empathy and friendship mean the world to me."
Sharma echoed this sentiment: "Aimen is one of my dearest friends. Our shared cultural values have brought us close, and I believe that people-to-people connections are crucial for peace."
Aimen Jafri is a Pakistani-origin civil society activist. Source: SBS / Aimen Jafri
Conflict between the two neighbours escalated after India carried out strikes in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, two weeks after the killing of 26 tourists on 22 April in Indian-administered Kashmir in a militant attack, which India blamed Pakistan for backing. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the attack.
Following days of intense cross-border drone and missile attacks, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, which is currently holding.
Amidst this turmoil, Jafri and Sharma are advocating for increased people-to-people engagement between Indians and Pakistanis, believing that such connections can pave the way for lasting peace.
Originally from India, Ritu Sharma is also a civil society activist. Credit: SBS / Ritu Sharma
Sharma, in turn, said Jafri was one of her closest friends due to their shared cultural heritage.
How can the two communities come together?
Both women agree there is a pressing need to foster friendships between the people of India and Pakistan, as such bonds can help pave the way for peace and progress.
Sharma believes community collaboration for common causes can go a long way in deepening relationships between the communities.
"[Aimen and I] never see each other as a 'Hindu Indian' or a 'Muslim Pakistani'. We came together to create Nari Shakti (women’s power), an initiative through which we support women and girls in finding employment, training for jobs, crafting resumes, and mastering interviews," she said.
"Our bond is rooted in purpose, not in the borders that separate us."
She also suggests taking practical steps such as increasing freedom of movement and trade between the two nations to improve people-to-people engagement.
"I’m Indian, but I often buy my clothes online from Pakistan — not only because they’re affordable, but because the quality is excellent ... Trade, collaboration, and shared access to resources could benefit us all," Sharma said.
Can food and shared cultural roots help bring the two communities together? Aimen thinks so.
"If you saw someone from New Delhi and someone from Karachi sitting down to eat together, you probably couldn’t tell the difference — in how they speak, what they wear, or what they’re eating," she said.
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"And food is a beautiful unifier. Take biryani, for example — one dish that has the power to bring two nations closer together."
Sharma agrees. "Honestly, there's barely any difference between us when it comes to our love for food, music, and conversation. Aimen is just as much of a foodie as I am. Sometimes I cook something and invite her to try it, and she does the same."
"Sharing food creates space for beautiful conversations, and those moments over a meal bring us even closer."
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