Internal discord

The differences hinted at within the Indian administration about ties with Pakistan have now been put out on a platter for all to see. Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna’s obvious anger with home secretary G K Pillai for comments the latter made revealing David Headley’s alleged admission of an alleged link between the ISI and the Mumbai attacks is perfectly understandable. Pillai’s ill-timed comments cast deep shadows over Mr Krishna’s talks in Islamabad and added an unsavoury flavour which made it difficult to salvage the process or restore the spirit of goodwill struck by the prime ministers of the two countries when they moved ahead with the decision to hold talks. Mr Krishna’s annoyance is partially a reaction to the perceived failures in Islamabad. He has made it a point to emphasise that the talks did indeed yield some results and went towards building understanding. This of course is encouraging. Certainly Pakistan too must work towards the positive by ending the attacks on the Indian side which appear to be continuing, with Shah Mahmood Qureshi again lashing out at a seminar in Islamabad. Mr Qureshi needs to stop doing this because it is not constructive.

India meanwhile needs to work towards sorting out its own disagreements. The issue of who should talk to the media is already being addressed in New Delhi. Other questions too need to be taken up. The tussle between the hawks and the doves is obviously a fierce one in both countries. The matter of which side emerges as the victor will determine a great deal about the future of the region.

As work towards creating some spirit of harmony continues, confidence building is vital. That the aggressive military displays at the Wagah border in the daily ceremony at the border has been toned down by both sides is good news. Other similar gestures are needed to build trust and give peace the boost it needs.

Published in  The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2010.