Editorial

It’s time to talk

Indo-Pak relations over last decade has been characterised by India insisting letting up on cross-border terrorism.

Editorial February 07, 2011

It’s time to talk

What looks like breaking of the Indo-Pak ice at Thimphu in Bhutan should not be allowed to peter out in mutual stonewalling. The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan appeared to make headway on February 6 in bringing on track the stalled dialogue process, as they agreed to carry it forward to “resolve all outstanding issues in a constructive manner.” The 2008 terrorist bombing of Mumbai must not forever shadow the bilateral equation. Two years are enough to lick the wounds and assuage public feelings of outrage; after that, the business of running the two neighbouring states must be taken in hand. Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has repeated the words framing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s policy towards Pakistan in her 90-minute meeting with her Pakistani counterpart, Salman Bashir. We hope that these words have not become simply a routine drill to counter an equally unmoving position from the Pakistani side.

If this exchange is genuine and not choreographed to maintain the deadlock, then the next step will have to be taken in the same spirit: a meeting between Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna and counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi after consigning to oblivion the meeting they had in July last year, where no ground was given during talks and Mr Qureshi ended up rather ham-handedly accusing Mr Krishna of having arrived without a brief.

Enough of looking-over-the-shoulder rhetoric for both sides! India’s ‘terrorism first’ line is suffering from fatigue inside India. An opinion piece in India’s prestigious daily The Hindu observed: “Further delays in the resumption of dialogue with Pakistan will not make it easier to get satisfaction on the terror front. An entire year has passed since the Manmohan Singh government decided it was time to find a way to break the dialogue deadlock and kick-start the process of engagement with Pakistan.”

The tenor of Indo-Pak relations over the last decade has been characterised by India insisting on Pakistan letting up on cross-border terrorism and Pakistan insisting on talking of all the items of disagreement, including Kashmir. Preconditioning dialogue means dooming it beforehand. If India trims its sail, under much persuasion from the international community, will Pakistan, too, bend a little?

Pakistan has just celebrated its Kashmir Day with a countrywide holiday and Kashmiri leaders in Pakistan — who, not long ago, said that jihad is no solution — are once again talking of (covert?) war. For some months now, the very jihadi organisation accused by India and the international community of carrying out terrorist attacks in India and Afghanistan has been allowed to spearhead public agitation on three crucial national issues: the river waters Pakistanis think is being stolen by India; the blasphemy law which threatens the minorities in Pakistan; and the Kashmir issue which the said jihadi organisation thinks can only be resolved through war, even nuclear war.

Out of the two stalling states, Pakistan is in deep internal trouble. Its economy is belly-up, posting its lowest growth rate, and inflation threatening to go hyper. Because of terrorism and regional disaffection, governance is at its lowest ebb. There are foreign and local terrorists on its soil who bomb any place they like and kill whomever they choose, anywhere in the country. Under pressure from shortages and natural calamities, the people are adopting extremist views and embracing xenophobia not suitable for a state in such dire need of external support. The courts are bending in the face of extremism and are not protected against terrorist threats when hearing cases against terrorists.

Those in India who think it’s no use talking to Pakistan when it is sinking should know that waiting for Pakistan to evaporate from the face of the earth may take too long and lose India the chance to help Pakistan at arriving at a bilaterally acceptable solution to disputes which will actually be Pakistan’s ‘self-correction’ in disguise. It is quite possible that Pakistan has lost its ability to set things right at home even if it wants to, in which case it needs to be helped rather than challenged.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (11)

pp_arman | 13 years ago | Reply Ashok Sai, very good article and brings the facts out. Every time Pak ex FM talked about famous ‘K’ word rather than any sincerity or taking some measures in making peace. In fact issues in Kashmir are owing to militancy by Pakistan. Ask any Kashmiri the life before 1989. They had wonderful life with flourishing tourism and good standard of living. However 1989, when militancy started, Indian army had to come. Now also, If Pakistan is really sincere of bringing peace to Kashmir, let them dismantle all terror camps and bring all terrorist to justice and next day Indian army will move from there. But as you said, Pakistan elite’s attitude seems to be different as they need some propaganda to keep them in business. Also give little thought, say India gives Kashmir, Will Pakistan also give their part of Kashmir, No Way!!!

R S JOHAR | 13 years ago | Reply The editorial gives a well balanced analysis of both country's respective stand on issues considered vital for talks. Nevertheless, I do agree with the ed that both countries should respect each other's concern and take the talks forward for next FM's meet. However, Pakistan FM or PM should refrain from making irresponsible statements at the behest of powerful army or for public consumption which may derail the talks once again. A stable Pakistan is in India's interest which has been reteriated by Indian PM and all of us agree with the same.

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ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply The editorial is good. South Asians must realize that terrorists do not recognize any borders. Pakistan's economy may be down these days, but bad days will end. The problem is how to make development inclusive !!!

Ashutosh | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Editor, Many strategists in the world probably feels that Pakistan has lost or almost lost its ability to set things right at home even if it wants to. At the same time Pakistani are under distress and cornered and have their finger on the nuclear arsenals. The world is running out of options to help Pakistan and its people.

Nowsherwan | 13 years ago | Reply This editorial is altogether a biased one written with the sole objective to present things in a way as to blame Pakistani authorities for the stalled peace process.I am not asking to carry on India bashing but at least a balanced approach should be adopted to give the readers on both sides of the border a clearer picture.

ashok sai | 13 years ago | Reply @ Editorial Board, ET Sir, We Indians understand the tone your are speaking, but your elite's attitude seems to be different. They are under the influnce of false ego and pride. If they consider about their people's well being they would have engaged us by taking credible measures to tackle terrorism originating from Pakistan soil to target India. We are not asking for more, atleast put all suspects of Mumbai attacks on trial, show some forward movement. Also, three days before that thug Hafeez Sayeed was spiting venom against India openly, do you not think its an indirect message to India from Pakistan that they dont want peace with India ? Sir, last, We have nothing loose without Pakistan, whereas you have everything to gain from us Indians. So, its an attitude change required by Pakistan rulers not by India, please convey this to your elites. Attitude defines Altitude, hope for the best. Best Regards

M J Akbar | 13 years ago | Reply "Those in India who think it’s no use talking to Pakistan when it is sinking should know that waiting for Pakistan to evaporate from the face of the earth may take too long "-----we have already waited for more than 60 years.can we know How long is the so called "too long" for u??Pak people and media are chanting the 'K' term so loudly as if India doesn't have nothing to gain from this.If deal goes through,we will get more share from POK including Gilgit and Balistan.India has nothing to lose.Everytime When India starts with a determined dialouge,some interrupt comes from other side.Now we are determioned.we will wait for u to evaporate.Lets see....

harkol | 13 years ago | Reply @Author While there can't be much doubt about need for a dialog, there can't really be meaningful dialogs on substantive issues till the major irritants (namely a gun held to India's head) is taken away. In the past two years, there have been noted silence in violent attacks on India - most probably because the violent elements in Pakistan have lesser provocation right now to attack India as India and pak are not talking. When we begin to speak, extremists will rachet up violence and innocent people will die as a result in India and talks will stop again. To avoid this Pakistan should first stabilize its internal situation, be able to deactivate/disband the groups & people who conduct a parallel Foreign Policy (instead of hiding behind non-state actor claim). To solve issues we need bold deal, but There should be a climate of stability for any bold deal to succeed.

Arindom | 13 years ago | Reply The writer touched upon the reality - but only as an afterthought, in the last paragraph. Why does India even need to talk to Pakistan? The only 'incentive' Pakistan seems to be giving India to talk seems to be threats -"nuclear war", "war", "jihad", etc. India cannot, and must not come to the negotiation table with Pakistan holding a gun to India's head - a la North Korean strategy for South Korea! The fact remains that for other than 'sentimental' value India, really doesnot need to talk to Pakistan. India has problems of poverty to solve and targets of economic growth to achieve. Talking to Pakistan only removes valuable energies away from India's higher goals; besides, there's nothing to gain from the fruitless exercise.

Raja | 13 years ago | Reply "Dialogue" without any preconditions was going on between 2003-2008. Simultaneously pakistani terrorism inside India was going on. Mumbai 2006 commuter train bombing carried out by Lashkar-e-Toiba could have completely halted the "dialogue process".. Benefit of doubt was extended to Pakistan under the notion LeT is no longer under pakistan army's control. Then came 2008 Mumbai mayhem. 2008 attacks could not have happened without adequate military/ naval training imparted to the terrorists. Editors at "The Hindu" may say whatever. Every time "dialogue" process is started pakistan army takes it as a sign of weakness and there is another terrorist attack. Indian leaders never learn...unfortunately they indulge in same stupidity, unarmed innocent Indian civilians on the streets and commuter trains are the victims.

AD | 13 years ago | Reply Even if India talks/agrees to all pakistan asks, nothing will happen. Pakistan at this point is doomed state unless serious revolution comes. In next 5-10 years, India and other countries will not be bothered about pakistan.

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