Shoulder to the wheel!

Several armchair intellectuals and self-proclaimed peaceniks on both sides of the border are at it again. Aspiration for peaceful co-existence is unexceptionable. It is in the interest of all concerned that India and Pakistan opt to live in peace as good neighbours. This line of argument can be taken further to opine that India and Pakistan, hand-in-hand as good neighbours, can go places. At each others’ throats, they can be no better than sitting ducks in the face of the powers-that-be in this topsy-turvy world of ours. The problem lies not in misplaced sentiments but in the path adopted. The path to real peace lies not in mere platitudes and expression of good intentions, but rather in going about it in a pragmatic, matter of fact, manner.

A good look over the shoulder at recent history would be in order. The mutually-agreed peace process had had its ups and downs, but one did not lose confidence in the native wisdom of the leaderships of the region to rise to the occasion and proffer what their peoples had been clamouring for all these past years. This, it now appears evident, has not materialised. From all appearance, we are where we were at the start of this blessed exercise. All that the two sides have been doing so far is — to use military parlance — marking time.

Firstly, a reality-check! To begin with, a look at what happened to the ‘core’ issue. Very little is reported about the outcome of the ‘back-channel diplomacy’ that was being indulged in by the two sides. Nothing at all, except for inspired articles once in a while in an apparent attempt to keep the interest alive! The nation had some expectation that that the luminaries who indulged in this commendable exercise would produce a rabbit or two out of their undercover hat. The man-in-the-street can hardly be blamed for laying some store by these hush-hush parleys that apparently went on unannounced in various exotic locations at not inconsiderable cost to the exchequer. What is he to surmise now?

Successful diplomacy can never be conducted either by being overly coy or by displaying one’s hand in advance. Nor can much be gained by leaning on the crutch of the media and/or outside powers to further the cause. Admittedly, diplomacy is the art of the possible. It would be advisable, nonetheless, to make it a point in negotiation not to reach out for the moon or, alternatively, to be content with a mere view of its reflection in a muddy pond

A skillful negotiator would never stoop to tell a deliberate lie, since such recourse is bound to undermine his or her credibility for good. There would appear to be little harm, though, were a negotiator opt to skillfully “withhold the truth” should the circumstances so demand. Simulation and dissimulation have, over the ages, come to be regarded as acceptable norms of international diplomatic behavior

The Siachin squabble will not only have an impact on whatever future dispensation is agreed upon by India and Pakistan on Kashmir, but will also have a direct bearing on the future equation between the subcontinent and China.

The issue of Sir Creek, that has come under discussion umpteen times, is of importance since it has a direct bearing on defining the India-Pakistan maritime boundary and, thereby, on the demarcation of Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the Law of the Sea Convention.

Where then is the peace, the mirage of which so enamours our peaceniks? They will be well advised to look beyond soppy seminars and reciprocal visits to touristic sites. Peace comes at a price that the establishments of both countries are not yet ready to pay.

The region of South Asia has suffered enough mainly due to self-inflicted wounds over the past many decades. Time may be ripe to rise above petty considerations and strive for real, as against ‘virtual’ peace on offer. Will the peaceniks take heed?

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2019.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.