‘Dialogue only way to end Indo-Pak hostility’

Centre for Peace and Progress India chairman says there is need to build trust

LAHORE: There is a serious need for introspection for India and Pakistan to figure out a way forward as war is not an option for both countries. Dialogue is the only option to build a climate of trust and confidence, said Indian peace activist and Centre for Peace and Progress India Chairman OP Shah.

He was speaking at a roundtable discussion on the topic Pakistan-India Relations and the Way Forward at a local hotel on Friday. The discussion included peace activists, journalists and social activists to ponder over the relations between the two neighbours and ways to normalise ties between India and Pakistan.

During the discussion, the recent deterioration in the relations, especially the incidents of firing along the line of control as well as the harassment of diplomats, were discussed.

OP Shah said that India was a very large country where many different languages were spoken and many cultures lived.



“People in India want peace with Pakistan,” he said. “We have a shared history and culture and we need to continue dialogue for the prosperity of the people of this region.

He said that India was founded as a secular socialist republic and Indians wanted to remain on this path. Shah said cross-border violations need to end and both countries should sit together to end this. “Both stakeholders need to appreciate each other’s compulsions, reservations and limitations.” Speaking about the media, he was of the view that it could play a constructive, positive and meaningful role. “It does the opposite, however” He said that he had visited Srinagar and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir and spoke to people from all walks of life. He said that the people of Kashmir want peace.

Shah concluded by saying that Gandhi’s four teachings should be followed. The first, he said, was the he preached what he practiced. The second was that everything should be based on truth and truth alone. The last, he said, was that whenever in doubt about the course of action, he preached.

Kasuri said that in India, a party came into power that got electoral dividends by increasing the divide between India and Pakistan. However, he said that the recent political developments in India showed that this policy was not paying-off anymore. He predicted that the BJP would have to change its policy or another party would come into power. “Whatever the outcome, dialogue is the only way forward,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2018.