Any act of violence bearing an impact on bilateral relations must be investigated impartially and professionally before reaching conclusions regarding their nature, perpetrators and origin. All formal and informal government channels should be used more effectively to share information on a real-time basis.
This was agreed upon and recommended by former diplomats, editors, journalists, academics and analysts from India and Pakistan, who met in Colombo for the 10th Chaophraya Dialogue on March 2 and 3, organised by the Jinnah Institute (JI) and the Australia India Institute (AII).
Welcoming recent decisions on expansion in trade between India and Pakistan, the key opinion-makers from the two countries recommended continued efforts for a permanent environment of peace and stability through sustained dialogue. The participants of the conference noted the restrictive visa procedures between both nations, and urged for its relaxation to allow increased people-to-people contact.
They also agreed the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Pakistan would go a long way towards achieving greater stability in the bilateral dialogue, and would help enhance the pace of progress on outstanding issues between India and Pakistan.
On terrorism, the conference emphasised that both countries should establish mechanisms for real and effective co-operation to handle terrorist activities, while restraint should be exercised by the two governments as well as the media, in the wake of such acts of violence.
Noting that Jammu and Kashmir is a complex issue, the conference stressed that it required the direct involvement and attention of the heads of both governments. The existing confidence building measures in the disputed territory should be implemented in letter and spirit, and should be expanded, they recommended.
On water security issues between the two countries, the experts suggested that both India and Pakistan continue to work within the framework of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). Meetings of the Indus Water Commission should be held more frequently than the one mandatory meeting annually.
Discussing media, the participants agreed that it was imperative that Pakistanis and Indians benefitted from impartial and well-informed reporting of news.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (18)
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@Am I wrong ?: Pakistani leaders are fool this is why they always talk about the resolutions of core and burning issues with India thru peace talks and despite knowing and having the knowledge of every thing Pakistani leaders intentionally don't want to understand and define before the nation the inner intentions of Indian leaders about core and burning issue "Kashmir".
Any engagement with Pakistan will bring only grief. Its the bitter truth and cant be wished away by good intentions.
@Zafar
Your rejoinder to @Pakistani Agnostic
One word.Superb.
@Devils advice: We Never trusted you anyway, after your terrorist killings of muslims in 1947, the occupation of Kashmir, your terrorist interference in Balochistan and Karachi! Now do us a favour and stop reading Pakistani news!
No sensible person will deny the fact that future of a developed and prospours South Asia lies in cordial and amicable relationship between India and Pakistan.Both countries got independence from British Empire in Aug.1947. Here,no need to recount the historical facts or acts of commission or ommission by both the countries.Now,both countries require to adopt and implement a pragmatic and rational approach to meet geo-political and socio-economic challenges being faced by both countries more or less in similar conditions/situations.
Why do people have the false presumption that India needs to have peace with Pakistan to be a 'global power'. US does not have good ties with Cuba, neither does Russia have good ties with its eastern european neighbours, nor China who is at odds with Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan. It really wont matter whether India resolves its issues with Pakistan. All that matters is the size of ones economy.
Friendship or not, Pakistan should digest one reality that they wont be getting an inch in Kashmir.
@Pakistani Agnostic
Hmm its Internet, Come again, what is your question?
Visa regime must go. People should be given visas like US does, five or ten year visa without any reporting. This reporting matter is too much as they all say who visit India or Pakistan.
Devil instead of taking these good news positive, you are going back to old days which represent bad things. Pray that both countries starts living in brotherly way. Both need each other for economic developments.
@Pakistani Agnostic: Yes, it is pakistani newspapers site, but it is not about whose site it is, it is about what news is it and who all does it concern. It concerns India and Indians very much, so they have every right to express themselves. After all, we are on open web space, where user is the king. In web, nationalities are of little importance. It is about concerns people have...
@Am I wrong ?: Um. This is Pakistani news website. What's the complaint
pls stop this news...no body cares pakistan . India had put pak issues at lowest priority .our issues are different .
South Asia could become the most prosperous region of the world, provided that the inhabitants of this region live in peace and harmony. Our mutual disagreements and hatred provide others an opportunity to interfere in our personal matters. No doubt, India is progressing at rapid pace but if they want to become a global player then their relations with neighbors, especially with the Pakistan must be very good. Otherwise their dream to become a super power will into a chimera. Good relations with India are also in Pakistan's favor. This will bring stability in the region and build confidence of investors.
Great move. I like the fact that civil society on both ends is committed in making it work. We need to realize this that we are the most natural ally in the region. Its true that mistakes have been made in the past. But we need to look ahead to a peaceful future for the best of our nations.
If some of our friends want to revisit the past, we have the Hyderabad Deccan invasion, Junagadh, and Siachin and Mukti Bahini on the indian military establishment's resume - to name a few.
The point is not to have a circular argument. We cannot ignore each other. They key is to maintain a 'working relationship' with each other. No one is asking to drape each other with garlands. No need to pretend to be part of a silly love story.
Include the real power players in the dialogue process. Turkey and Armenia, Turkey and Greece and Turkey and Cyprus did it without quitting their claims on disputed lands.
Friendly relations with Pakistan. Is it really possible?
INDIA should be weary about pakistan,After Kargil No more blind trust and after bombay 26/11 stay away from pakistan as far as possible.,