A file photo of Indian foreign minister Salman Khurshid.
After some days of frenzied tension, following incidents on the Line of Control, signs that normalcy is returning and that dialogue will continue between India and Pakistan are welcome. Activists on both sides of the border have been seeking sanity and these efforts were given a boost by India’s External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid. Speaking informally to participants of a Track 2 dialogue in New Delhi, Mr Khurshid said that incidents, including the cancellation of a play, which was to have been staged at India’s National School of Drama by a Pakistani group and the sending home of Pakistani hockey players, were not coordinated by the Indian government, but came as a result of the general environment that had been created. He said that matters had ‘snowballed’ out of control, with the media playing a part in this.
Mr Khurshid’s tone is reassuring. His view that such ‘unpleasant incidents’ happen between nations is true. But the fact is that such sequences of events deliver a blow to peace efforts. It takes time to regain lost ground. Even now, the participation of the Pakistan women’s cricket team in the World Cup to be held in India is being protested, most recently in Orissa and the BJP is demanding that Pakistani writers not attend the Jaipur Literary Festival. As they get back to resuming discussion, both nations need to find a way around this — given the possibility that further incidents could occur in the future. As Mr Khurshid himself stated, the best manner to handle such matters was to ensure that only the foreign ministry spoke on them. This is a protocol both nations need to agree on.
We must hope that the task of resuming discussions will begin soon. But the reality is that much unpleasantness has been created. Hopefully, it will fade away. But the bitter aftertaste could linger for some time. The goodwill demonstrated by Mr Khurshid should be used as the springboard to relaunch the peace process and ways must be found to keep it firmly on track.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Indian: I pray that India has peaceful and prosperous 2013 too and those pakistanis who would object to your prayers are stupid. Cheers :)
Its about time ( after 65+ years) that Indians & Pakistanis stop trying to achieve an emotional * high* by empty chest thumping.
Neither side is impressed. Quite immature, i think,
@Naeem Siddiqui: But, Naeem sahib, @indian is not praying to GOD, he is just * wishing prayerfully *
@Indian:
Not a single channel 'mongered' war. Majority of them whipped up a frenzy of Anti-Pakistan feeling, but not one asked for war. All they wanted govt. to do is to answer some specific questions - like what specific action would Govt. take against perfidious activities across the border.
Almost all of the channels had conceded that war is not an option, but there had to be some thing else other than meekly 'protesting' or stating 'no business as usual' as such statement themselves are 'business as usual'!!
@ Indian and Vasan... You don't represent Indian masses and media didn't cook it up...even if they hyped anything, it was based on facts....no surprise you would blame media for recent Delhi protests.... You can sit in the couch and comment, as none of your family is patrolling the border, none of your family got killed in Kargil...you didnt lose anyone in Mumbai attacks and have nothing to do with dreaded terrorists roaming around freely in Pakistan planning terrorist attacks on India.... But rest billion strong indians don't feel the way you do.....We do care about our brothers and sisters defending us on border and no soldier deserves to be treated the way your Pakistani brothers beheaded.... and am sure , the so-called Salam Khurshid is speaking on his own and no indian stand behind him for his pro-pakistan song...alas! we cant get rid of these idiots before 2014...!!
I have not seen Pak tv. But I can assure you that ET now and NDTV 24X7 news channels are the worst news channels, really pathetic and rack up people's emotion rather than upto the point and no more and no less. I hope Indians throw these channels into dustbin, esp their anchors Arnab Goswami and Burqa dutt. I am Indian by the way.
@Indian
I welcome your prayers to whatever god you believe on.
I know those TV Warriors and war mongers in Indian media does not represent Indian masses. but they do create hysteria and panic among Indian people. they need to understand that their Pakistan bashing and verbal chest beating is not going to have any impact on Pakistan and Pakistani people! yes it does leave a very bad impact on Indian people's psyche.
there is no doubt that peace is very important for both nations,but there is a time when patience runs out.now i think this is the time that govt of Pakistan must demand full inquiry from Hidustan(india) for all the ruckus created by their govt,media especially and army.we must start negotiation with them unless and until they come out clean.We have suffered much but not any more..we must insist on third party arbitration and demand that they show us the proof of what they have accused us.Other wise let some time pass and they will play the same game.We must not forget the treatment meted out to our sportsman.artiste businessmen etc.
As an Indian let me apologize on behalf of all the war mongers and television studio warriors from our side. This should not have happened and it's good that it is back on track. Pakistani people and Indian people both deserve better than this hate mongering and militaristic jingoism. As an Indian I pray that Pakistan has a peaceful and prosperous 2013 (even though some Pakistanis might object to prayers from a Hindu)