What's Diplomacy In Pakistan? John Abraham Explains With Famous Analogy To Arnab

New Delhi: Diplomacy works everywhere, but in Pakistan , it’s like ice skating, you’re always on thin ice, said Bollywood actor John Abraham, who plays J.P. Singh, India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, in Shivam Nair’s upcoming drama ‘The Diplomat.’

Speaking about the film, which revolves around the rescue of an Indian woman trapped in Pakistan, John spoke of the immense challenges faced in bringing her back. 

He explained how her forced marriage to a Pakistani man made the situation “practically impossible.” 

In an exclusive interview with Republic Media Network’s Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami , John discussed the complexities of the real-life rescue mission. 

When asked why the operation was so difficult, he pointed to a dialogue from ‘The Diplomat’ which says “Pakistan’s unpredictable diplomatic landscape, where negotiations are far more delicate than in other nations.”

‘The Diplomat Is Pretty Much Like Argo’ 

Drawing a parallel to Hollywood’s Argo, he described how careful maneuvering and strategic diplomacy were essential in executing the mission.

‘The Diplomat’, follows the dramatic rescue of Uzma Ahmed, an Indian woman who claimed she had been abducted and forcibly married in Pakistan. 

The Diplomat: The True Story Behind the Film  

J.P. Singh, a seasoned Indian diplomat, had faced his share of high-stakes situations. But nothing could have prepared him for what lay ahead. One moment, he was handling routine embassy duties, the next, he was caught in a high-profile custody battle with international ramifications.  

His mission? To bring an Indian woman back home safely while carefully navigating the complexities of Pakistan’s legal system. Given the tense relations between India and Pakistan, every move had to be meticulously calculated. A single misstep could escalate into a full-blown diplomatic crisis. Being too aggressive could backfire, while hesitation could mean Uzma Ahmed would never return.  

But to truly understand this story, we must first know Uzma because, at its core, this was her fight for freedom.  

The Uzma Ahmed Case

Uzma Ahmed’s real-life ordeal feels like a Bollywood thriller except, unlike a movie, there was no dramatic soundtrack or fast-forward button to escape.  

It all began in Malaysia, where Uzma met Tahir Ali, a Pakistani citizen. What started as a whirlwind romance soon took a dark turn. Expecting a fresh start, she traveled to Pakistan, only to discover the shocking truth Ali was already married with four children. She was then coerced into marrying him against her will.  

Determined to escape, Uzma made her way to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. But simply walking in wasn't an option. According to reports, Indian diplomats had to employ old-school espionage tactics. A diplomatic couple, posing as Uzma’s relatives, tricked Ali into letting her visit the embassy under the pretense of collecting money for him. Greed, after all, is a powerful weakness.  

Once inside, Uzma refused to leave without protection. Singh immediately contacted then-External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who gave a clear directive: ensure Uzma’s safety at all costs, even if it meant sheltering her inside the embassy for an extended period.  

A Tense Standoff and Legal Maneuvers  

While Uzma was safe within the embassy walls, the danger outside was real. Ali and his associates lingered, waiting for a chance to drag her back. Terrified, Uzma reportedly told Indian officials that she would rather be poisoned than be forced back into Ali’s hands.  

Meanwhile, a larger geopolitical storm was brewing. The International Court of Justice was hearing the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national accused of espionage in Pakistan. Sensing trouble, Ali attempted to use Pakistan’s legal system to his advantage. But Indian officials were one step ahead they preemptively filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court.  

The legal battle was intense, but in the end, justice prevailed. The court ruled in Uzma’s favor, granting her the right to return to India. J.P. Singh personally escorted her back home, bringing an end to her harrowing ordeal.  

The Diplomat: A Gripping Political Thriller  

Unlike John Abraham’s usual action-packed films, The Diplomat takes a different approach. It’s not about high-octane stunts but about a suspenseful, real-world operation filled with diplomacy, strategy, and emotional stakes. Much like Hollywood’s Argo, it’s a story of calculated risks, international maneuvering, and a race against time.  

The Diplomat Release Date  

The film is set to release on March 14, 2025, and promises to bring this incredible true story to life with intensity and realism.