India’s decision to resume the stalled bilateral talks is, indeed, a good omen for both countries
ISLAMABAD: A momentary encounter between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the climate change conference in Paris and the unscheduled meeting of the national security advisers of the two countries in Bangkok seem to have ultimately broken the ice. India’s External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, landed in Islamabad on December 8 to attend the Heart of Asia Conference that begin here on December 9. Much to the pleasure and surprise of people on both sides of the divide, she announced the resumption of the stalled dialogue process between India and Pakistan.
The decision to resume the stalled talks between the two countries was taken after her two-hour-long talks with the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, and formal meetings between key Foreign Office officials of India and Pakistan. The talk process will now resume under the label of Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue.
According to a joint communiqué issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue would cover issues like peace and security, confidence-building measures, Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, trade and economics, counterterrorism, narcotics control, humanitarian issues, people-to-people exchanges and religious tourism. It has been mutually agreed that the foreign secretaries of the two countries would now work out the modalities and schedule meetings under the comprehensive dialogue.
India’s decision to resume the stalled bilateral talks is, indeed, a good omen for both countries. It has generated a glimmer of hope among people belonging to every segment of society in India and Pakistan. The initiative taken by India to discuss all pending bilateral issues, including the long-pending core issue of Kashmir and Siachen, is truly a significant step.
If sincere attempts are made to resolve the Kashmir issue, which continues to be a bone of contention between the two countries since independence, nothing can stop the two important neighbours of the South Asian region from reaping the benefits of cordial and mutually beneficial bilateral relations. A climate of peace and amity between the two countries is the need of the hour. Needless to say, if this vital objective is attained successfully, it would bring significant socioeconomic progress and political stability — not only to India and Pakistan, but also to other countries of the region.
M Fazal Elahi
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2015.
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