Issue 64 Vol III, May 31, 2008

E D I T O R I A L

Piecemeal parleys

INDIAN and Pakistani foreign ministers meeting in Islamabad last fortnight was billed to take India Pakistan dialogue to a definite footing. India was deeply disturbed after the Jaipur bomb blasts, attempts at more infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan military indulging in some unprovoked firing. Indian Foreign minister wanted to evaluate the new democratic establishment in order to build peace in the sub continent. Foreign secretary was already camping there for two days, negotiating with his Pakistani counterpart. Some definite ground work was expected since 14 months had already  passed, waiting for Pakistan to settle down or rather transit from military dictatorship to a democratic polity.

What it produced was disappointing. A few more trains to carry a thousand tonnes of more goods across the borders, opening up one more road link and promise, repeated continuously to strengthen the people to people contact, ease visa rules and strengthen bilateral economic relations. Indian foreign minister was saying that let Kashmir issue, the tangled web between the two countries for the past sixty years remain where it is and let the two countries build very strong economic ties. Create a kind of vested interest in peace for the hawks in two countries. Let there be friendly atmosphere to build a gas pipe line from Iran via Pakistan to India and another from Kazakhstan via Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. These were the broad wishes expressed as was the repeated emphasis on ‘common cultural roots of the two brotherly countries’.

We concede that it is good to talk even when guns are booming and innocent blood splitting is going on. After all disputes of any nature can finally be settled sitting across the tables with pen and paper and not with guns booming. It was also useful for India to understand the minds of the present day Pakistani rulers; Asif Zardari, the power behind the throne, new prime minister Yusuf   Gillani, old political horse and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and others. If that helps, it is good. Same could be the attitude of the Pakistani establishment; measuring Indian mindset.

It was stated at the joint press conference in Islamabad that talks have progressed well and in the right direction that is building bridges for peace. Very pious words were stated by the two sides.   And, it was for the people who want peace and have build strong movement in the two countries to assess what all this means.  They wish without wasting time the leaders should sort out the old issues and settle for happy bilateral relations. When Zardari says that let the borders be open, what exactly he means besides expressing a nice wish to gladden the hearts of the people. But then his prime minister had been harping on the old UN Resolution and settling Kashmir first. Sharif is nursing old wounds that India had been extra kind to military dictator Pervez Musharraf who ousted him from power in October 1999.

It is true all outstanding issues can not be settled in one go even when heads of state meet and they have been meeting often. It is also true that Kashmir is a serious issue whose solution can bring a lasting peace. Some well informed participants in Track Two diplomacy assert some solution satisfying the two countries is sight. The effort can been not to shed blood through proxy or open wars, but to build good friendly ties and strong economic relations. Kashmir could be sorted out be establishing strong democratic institutions in the two Kashmirs, one with India and the other with Pakistan. Open borders; less of restrictions and continuous movement of goods and people. This could ultimately find a way to peace. The two poor countries need this urgently and without much delay. The ground work done by Track Two diplomacy and well meaning leaders should not to be wasted.

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