Two days after he and his Pakistani counterpart resolved to write a ‘new chapter’ in relations between their countries, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that Pakistan’s powerful military was fully on board in carrying forward the peace process, reports The Economic Times.
“I did discuss with Prime Minister Gilani whether the Pakistan Army is fully on board to carry forward the peace process. The sense I got was that after a long time, Pakistan’s armed forces are fully on board,” Singh told media persons on board Air India One while flying back home from the Maldives.
Premier Singh met with his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the Saarc summit in the Maldivian city of Addu.
‘Man of Peace’
Singh’s description of Prime Minister Gilani as a ‘man of peace’ invited the wrath of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.
Reacting to BJP’s criticism, Singh said: “I have met Prime Minister Gilani four to five times. He agreed with me that there is no way but to find a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues.”
“I, therefore, believe that Pakistan has a democratic government and we will like to strengthen the hands of democratic government,” he said. “In Gilani, we have a prime minister who we can work with.”
The BJP has also accused the Indian premier of going soft on “terror emanating from Pakistan” barely days before the third anniversary of 26/11 attack. But Singh said that he has made it clear (to Gilani) that if another ‘barbarous’ Mumbai attack were to happen, it will be a ‘setback’.
New Delhi had called off a slow-moving peace process with Islamabad following attacks on Mumbai’s landmarks by gunmen on November 26, 2008, blaming them on Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
But relations have improved since as both sides have resumed the stalled peace process. In the Maldives meeting they struck an upbeat note pledging to write a “new chapter” in relations between their countries and hoped that the next round of the dialogue would be more result-oriented.
Singh also said that his decision to resume the peace process with Pakistan was not individual-centric. “Our approach to Pakistan is trust but verify. We are not putting blind faith in one individual. I do hope it will genuinely lead to the normalisation of relations,” he said.
Pointing out that Pakistan-India relations are ‘subject to accidents,’ Singh took positive note of the decision of Pakistan to grant the Most Favoured Nation status to India and stressed on encouraging development in areas like trade and the willingness of Islamabad to discuss all issues, including that of terror.
“I told him (Gilani) that terror as an instrument of state policy has no takers in the world and it has given rise to Pakistani terrorism. Terror has to be dealt with firmly,” he said. “In these areas (trade and terror), it is possible to find the way forward.”
“Trade and economic relationship is one area where progress is possible,” he added. “The thinking people in Pakistan realise that trade is a win-win situation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2011.
COMMENTS (24)
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@ALI: Wow, I always thought that the "Pakistan Army" helped get the country INTO difficult times!
We in India want peace!!! We need to develop and catch up with the West. But what I never understood why Indians waste time talking to the Gilanis and Zardaris....
India should invite Kayani, Pasha and entire Corp Commanders and try to make a transparent deal with them. If they want peace - great! If they donot want peace - so be it.
Wasting time with the Gilianis and Zardaris is just that - waste of time. A sad day for democracy - but hey, we need to talk to the one who calls the shots right?
@Ali blind patriotism doesn't lead any where. Look at how the bigotry of the Pakistani army and establishment has led to sorrow and violence both outside Pakistan and within. The whole state of Pakistan has built a foundation on bigotry and without understanding the foundation and changing it, it is hard to change the direction of the nation.
@Ganesh Prasad: I agree with you to a certain extent. Considering the past, I'll take it! Hope our army will stay the course. Certain elements of our army would be my concern too but let's hope for the best. It's a +ve start. Important thing is that you and us(the people) stay united n send the message to our govts that we want 'PEACE NOT WAR'. Taunting, sarcasm shouldn't fly:we should be beyond that. Long live Pakistan and India!!!
@positive pakistani: I thought you're positive! So, why this -ve comment?
Interesting that Mr. Singh had to make this statement. Instead the Pakistani Government should have stated this categorically.
Now the Pakistan Army, has a chance to refute Singh's statement. Later they should not topple the democratic government, by accusing it of being too friendly towards India.
@Nadeem: Dont say any thing wrong against "Pakistan Army". They have always helped Pakistan in difficult times.
@Khan: to Patrik "But do you guys back home also ask the question Why Mr Vajpayee backed down at last moment from signing that deal? " What Nawaz has said is that the COAS he favoured over many other generals was planting Northern Light Infantry turned mujahideen on the high peaks of Kargil, unbeknownst to him. So, perhaps Nawaz is the man who has answer to your question. As far as "savages" go we know how to control ours. You have absolutely no control over yours. also, try not to paint India by the same brush that you need to paint your country with! It is not only unfair but irksome, too!
@Patrik:
But do you guys back home also ask the question Why Mr Vajpayee backed down at last moment from signing that deal? People say it was all ready to be signed but he didn't?. The only way forward is to solve all problems via dialogues .. as we know there are some savages on both side of border who's aim in life is to earn as much as possible from this hatred between the two countries.
I lived in Saudi.
I can see Indians and Pakistanis are natural friends. I myself had seen a Pakistani Supervisor arguing with his Saudi Manager for Salary hike for an Indian Hindu.
If both countries can unite there will be peace from Afghanistan to Dhaka.
@positive pakistani: "Why am i seeing such negative attitude from Indian audience? what is wrong? what are you scared of?"
There have been too many false dawns in the past. Every time the two countries seem to inch towards a peaceful relationship, a terror attack takes place in India. This is why Indians have learnt to be skeptical.
@positive pakistani: There is a good reason. Remember when Vajpayee and Nawaz Shariff were on brink of signing a comprehensive peace deal, The generals started Kargill. There after when that was put behind and relations were improving , Mumbai 26/11 happened so Indians have a good reason to be cautious.
'doodh ka jalaa, lassi bhee phook mar ke peetay hai' (person scalded by milk will also double lassi before drinking)
Prime Minister of world's largest democracy is stating that Pak Army is on board in peace process. Why didn't he say something like this about his own army? In fact he is ridiculing our democracy and the weakness of our democratically elected govt. Elected Govts in Pakistan, World knows, is not independent to design its own foreign policy and is under command of strong army.............................. and they are not wrong as well
True, infact army leadership s not only on board but they r the initiators of all this peace process.... Kiyani visited india with Musharaf back in mush era as DG ISI n thats where U.S supported 4 point kashmir agenda n peace process was initiated. Today our beloved army leadership is putting the plan to action. Political leadership... yea they r there too =)
@positive pakistani: We are scared of state sponsored terror...Got it??
"“I told him (Gilani) that terror as an instrument of state policy has no takers in the world and it has given rise to Pakistani terrorism. "
So what did Gilani respond?
Why am i seeing such negative attitude from Indian audience? what is wrong? what are you scared of?
Well said, Nadeem bhai....
@anil: Yes Anil, sadly our army has now dropped all pretenses: they do not try to hide the fact any more that they are in charge. Gilani, Zardari, etc are all side shows when it comes to relations with India, and come to think of it, in every other important matter as well. But when it comes to accepting responsibility for policy disasters and fiascos, the army is no where to be seen! Their hour of justice has not arrived yet, I guess.
Army on peace talk ......few years ago ,they used to behind the screen ,now they are on board . I can see the success of this peace process from now .shame...shame.....
The skepticism shown by PM of India can not be totally ruled out. Spanner can be thrown at the "25th Hour". Anyhow I would love to see good cordial relationships which is good for both the country and most importantly for the whole region. We are neighbors and as such should show maturity at all level to build the broken bridges.
its a good sign bu some dark shadows must be lurking here and there. ferail a peace process is very easy. a couple of terror attack by the likes of JUD or ABHINAV BHARAT are from both of them IN TANDEM can again bring the two nations on the brink of war. Saner act would be to proceed even if some thing untowards happen. This will weaken the terror outfits to no end.