Friendship with Pakistan inevitable: SM Krishna
Inaugurating a passport office in Sri Nagar, Krishna said that the "acrimonial debate" and "slanging match" between Pakistan and India will not help either country and that even global conditions require that both the countries maintain good bilateral relations. He, however, pointed out that convincing the opposition on such issues is also an uphill task.
Appreciating his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar's efforts, Krishna said that the foreign minister, in her last visit, had conveyed the message that Pakistan wants to move ahead with the bilateral relationship.
Krishna added that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on being invited by President Asif Ali Zardari, might visit Pakistan any time soon.
According to a report by Indian news agency PTI, Krishna also assured the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir that he will take up the issue of cross-LoC trade including removal of negative list during his visit.
Omar Abdullah also drew the External Affairs minister's attention towards the direct impact of Indo-Pak ties on the disputed state. He added that monetary value mismatch had proved to be a complication in cross-LoC trade and requested that a more rudimentary barter format of trade be explored.
Correction: An earlier version of the story mentioned Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This is incorrect, the error is regretted.
COMMENTS (68)
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@jagjit sidhoo: Yes its true , especially the neighbours of one's country, as that one can not change . If this was a case of household , than one can move from the area. The problem is that Pakistan is watching countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, also some african countries who were below par to them until 10 years ago, are moving forward and in all likelyhood overtake them in next few years. Yet the lack of concern from Pakistanis ! Perhaps they know something that the rest of the world don't ! But its not going to saved by some divine intervention from their mess !
@Hegdefunder: So we are on the same page, just one point i would to add that unlike individuals nations can not change their neighbors however difficult they are you have to live with them.
@jagjit sidhoo: Not bad ! I hope you took note of the very comment at the top, which states to that effect ! Thank you.
@Hunter punter: 1-"Krishna is saying that pakistan has no choice, but to live with India as a friend" Here on your this stance methinks you are considering Pakistan's friendly attitude to resolve all the burning and core issues especially Kashmir issue thru peace talks as its weakness.Please never think in this manner because we Pakistanis want to live with India peacefully not in the state of war and never live in this misconception that Pakistan has no choice but to live as a friend. 2-"Pakistan can only benefit and it will help it alleviate its poverty" Please keep it in your mind that in India there is more poverty than Pakistan and you need first and more to alleviate poverty from India and then think about Pakistan.........
@Hegdefunder: Keeping in mind the name you use "Hegdefunder" i will try to put my views in the language you would be most familiar with "Go long with a stop loss, if the markets moves as expected keep moving your stop loss up ". For those who are not familiar with stock market jargon i am just saying, extend your hand of friendship but make sure your backside is covered.
@jagjit sidhoo: Well its not perfect, but better than India commiting same mistakes of trusting and bond building exercises, that come back with vengence to hurt the people of the Nation and Humiliate them !
@Hegdefunder: Do u really think a imploding neighbor is good for us?
@jagjit sidhoo: Please don't hold your breath ! As past track record suggest that it will be fundamental flaw to negociate anything with Pakistanis, until we establish as to who holds the key in the country ! Is it the Army or elected Govt ? Can any of these institution be trusted to honour any agreement ? Why are they so keen to discuss all these issue now ? Personally I think that India should sit it out and see as what state Pakistan is in next few years, as there is a strong likelyhood that on current course it will implode from within !
@Ahmer Ali:I do not think you get my point if we go with this attitude first solve Kashmir we will never get anywhere like we have not in the last 65yrs . I am 63yrs old hope something happens in my lifetime.
@Ahmer Ali: After wasting 65 years and becoming poorer by the year, why should the same things be repeated? Kashmir has no solutions based on 1947. These days, people are more bothered about economic solutions to their poverty than silly border problems. I quite agree with many bloggers that, liberals appear to be substantial in number( on ET), and who seem reasonable and wanting peace with India, But the actual numbers who probably hate India are a huge majority. Krishna is saying that pakistan has no choice, but to live with India as a friend. Pakistan can only benefit and it will help it alleviate its poverty. India has all the choices in the world, including a USD 60 billion trade with China.
@jagjit sidhoo: Your comment is admirable and highly appreciable but if first Kashmir issue is resolved thru peaceful means with dialogues then all the remaining issues shall be solvable easily because long-awaited Kashmir issue is only the main cause of unrest,lack of trust,unfriendly attitude between the two nations and gulf between Pakistan-India....
Both countryies should take the responsibility to hold peace talks. They cann't attack each other with atom - bomb. Now they have realized that they have to moved ahead. And I support their decissions. I do also think that the Indian prime minister should soon came to Pakistan, so the peace talk can move ahead. Pakistan should talk kahsmir-issue with India, we should especially ask them to stop killing innocent muslims in Kashmir and stop to get help from Israel. We have earlier seen how Israel trainers have been in kashmir in the side of India. Truely I wish to see Pakistan growing as India, in power and in many other areas. But I don't think these countryes wil be good friends, because it's someone's interest that we fight with each other USA!!!
@gp65: The odds are pretty low that you are a Kashmiri from the valley. However, I am one. So, I definitely know that he is the elected CM of J&K. I was just referring to the howler in the report. And btw I put AZAD in quotes because I feel that AJK is anything but Azad.
@Gratgy: If you live where there are thief, robbers, terraris live how can you be different than them? How come neighbor hood is so bad and you alone are good, neighbor became neighbor when their rights were not assured and they decided to seperate themselve. Otherwise all the time they were one.
@Mohd Butt Don't you lock your house so that thieves and robbers (and terrorists) do not enter. Plus Better fences make better neighbours
@Arijit Sharma: And why not? Unless you want to keep locked like 65 years and get exploited by the outside powers.
@Ahmer Ali: Let us not talk of first Kashmir or 26/11 , let us first do the easily do able then as the environment improves the more problematic issues can be tackled and solved. Let us not try for the 100mtr gold when we do not know how to crawl.
A security mindset is the only problem that leads to controversies. Sensible and learned people know that fighting isn't the solution, we have several examples in the world. Europe was in dark ages and fighting with one another for 1500 years but they earn superiority when they decided not to fight but cooperate economically for the betterment of the masses. Yet they have claims on one another, rivalaries as well which we often observe in soccer matches. They divert their passions towards sports. We may divert our passions as well provided the process starts before another Mumbai attack.
@kaalchakra: I hope you know that all the wars between us were started by Pakistan ? Just check these links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rGVpiWH-QI ,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exAlTqrfRa4 , one is a former former Air Chief Marshall of Pakistan Air Force and the second is a Pakistani journalist both saying the same thing that Pakistan started all wars from 1947 to Kargil . Now please do not say they are RAW agents come up with something original.
@Ali: Very sober and sensible comments
Much the best,excellent,impressive and well said Krishna and your this statement is always most welcome and we are ready also for this purpose but first and foremost "the resolution of Kashmir issue" is the only bridge to repair/rebuild in regard of inevitable friendship with Pakistan.......
@Mohd Butt: " ... All positive comments are welcome, thanks karisna, make sure that we all sort out the problems and live like Europe, sure with borders but open one, each one in his home but no hate and fight, with care and respect. ... "
Quick question here ... why open borders ?
India should sack this octagenerian FM who has little understanding of anything ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Last time he was reading the speech of some other country's FM at the UN. Pls dont take him seriously.
The Indian foreign minister has made appropriate diplomatic noises but he must be aware – as are Indians in general – that good relations between Pakistan and India are neither possible nor likely in the foreseeable future. However, that is no reason for stopping conversations. Even useless talking is better than actual war, which has been the subcontinent’s fate for long decades since Independence. Only we should not entertain hopes from the foreign ministers’ discussions. V. C. Bhutani, Delhi, India, 27 July 2012, 0755 IST
kaalchakra : As usual, your comments distort facts and history. As per your story, had the fox been vengeful, it would have eaten the lamb long long ago. The lamb would not have started the wars, had it been realistic. The fox does not need the friendship of the lamb, as the fox has decided not to eat rotten lambs or for that matter, the fox has declared itself to be vegetarian. So get your facts right before u right "comments" .
@Faraz: "Omar Abdullah sure aint the PM / CM or Any M of “AZAD” Jammu and Kashmir."
He is the elected CM of Jammu Kashmir in India. What's your point Faraz.
There's a typo in the article. It's not chief minister of 'Azad' Jammu and Kashmir, but the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir (Omar Abdullah).
All positive comments are welcome, thanks karisna, make sure that we all sort out the problems and live like Europe, sure with borders but open one, each one in his home but no hate and fight, with care and respect.
@kaalchakra: Your story is really sad. Brought tears to my eyes.
For the sake of planning - exactly how many years later the lamb ceased to exist? A whole lot of people in the world would want to be there when it happens!
Meera Bichra Yaar, mera bichra yaar!!! Yes, finalllly, we can b friends coz he said so. No no thats fine, he said we should b friends. Yeeeaaaa!! -|-
@kaalchakra: wow.....what a "nice little lamb" you are. Indeed a brave one.... to try attacking the fox three times. And when that did not work, send your children to kill fox's family in cold blood. And all this without fox even growling back at you. Lamb like you thinks the fox is stupid just because it is not striking back. You know very well in real life lamb will stand no chance if fox decides to kill it. So, my friend.......be a nice lamb, and if fox is indeed asking for friendship, don't take it as it's weakness. And stop preaching hatred. Your every single comment in past just shows how frustrated and full of hatred you are.
Who says India doesn't want peace with Pakistan? We do desire peace with it because peace in in the interest of both our peoples and this is why we want that terrorism emanating from Pakistan must stop now. Without bringing the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice and dismantling the terror machine operating freely in Pakistan, this so-called peace process will remain a futile exercise.
Growing up, i was taught there can be no friendship without respect, no respect without understanding, and no understanding without trust. Experience shows it's impossible to have any meaningful relations without trust, be it people or nations. I find it very amusing when our ministers talk about friendship and trust deficit at the same time. It just doesn't make sense.
Those writing from their bunkers have still not learnt anything from history. 90% of Pakistanis say that USA has lost trillions of dollars on the war in Afghanistan. Look, and look deep inside yourselves. You have not only lost billions but also lost part of your country. Name any country that has done that. Apart from that, not a single of your demands have been met and will never be met. On the contrary, your so called 'fox' is creating mayhem inside Pakistan. For this 'fox', its is either today or tomorrow for the 'lamb'.
A tale of two countries over the last six decades: One goes with a bowl in its hand for survival and the other where world leaders come marching asking it to "do more" BUSINESS with them.
Keep dreaming. No normalization while India continues to occupy Kashmir. The Pakistani liberals just don't have the numbers or the influence to push this through.
There is an old sufi tale of a brave lamb and a blood-thirsty fox. After many unpleasant and hurtful encounters with the deadly fox, the lamb told the fox: Dear Sir, we two are different creatures. Allow us to go our own ways - as the Law requires. The fox was upset, and vengeful. Over the next six decades, it made many attempts to raid and destroy the lamb's home, but the lamb was both brave and determined to defend itself and its children.
Frustrated, the fox came up with 'friendship'. That was the end of the lamb.
Moral of the story: an enemy offering friendship is more dangerous than one declaring war.
Probably in another 100 years. I hope no foreigner gets fooled by the comments on tribune and dawn. The number of Pakistanis who come to these sites are very small compared to the ones who hate India and Indians to the core. There is massive propaganda in books of government run schools and even a Cambridge-educated student from these schools will find it very easy to blame the neighbor across the border for the troubles in our motherland
Very good Mr. Krishna.Now is a very good opportunity for both the countries for betterment of friendly bilateral ties.Good luck.
This Indo-Pak friendship thing has been on the frontpage for a long time now, i just hope that both sides now take this issue seriously, pakistan in particular.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: India is not serious? Last i checked it was our own country that attacked India in 1948, 1965, 1971 and then in 2009 and everytime, we lost our own misadventures. Please get your facts on who is serious for peace and who is not.
@Ali Ji : You stated India actually doesn’t need this friendship its more us that needs it. I don’t think friendship is possible right now bearing the situation in mind but a more normal, civilised neighbourly relationship. . Friendship only comes after years of positive mutually beneficial interaction between two countries. . We should all be realistic and go one step at a time. We in Pak have many challenges to deal with and there is a big trust deficit. So we appreciate India’s gesture but at the same time would like to remind our Indian neighbours of our very real limitations of which they know very well.*
At the same time we are grateful for the lowering of hostilites and the slow but sure increase in normal trade relations. . Where have you been all these Years? . I Second you Millions and Billions of Time . Please keep up the good work by propogating these Humane Sentiments. . With the likes of you I will Live in Hope and Hope to Die without Disappointment! . Cheers
When centuries old enemies among European nations (with two World Wars recently) cannot stop them to make European union why not Indians and Pakistanis, who lived together for centuries, cultivate friendship again. Well said Mr. Krishna
@LionHeart: Before friendship comes mutual respect and if there is one thing i can guarantee the people of Pakistan, It is a promise that they shall never be respected by Indians. Take this from a true blue Mumbai resident. . Respect is to be Earned and NOT DEMANDED . Cheers
@Raza Khan: "Very positive statement! Wishing Peace for both countries." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ As long as we remember the difference between Peace & Friendship!
This is a new world order.A globalized world where economy,market space,trade, investment plays the role of the kingmaker. Look at China. They win everything through trade.They settle the gravest internal situation through it.
India has moved on..India does not want any kind of obstacles in its path of development. It wants to provide the world an atmosphere where they can invest & where people have the opportunity to seek their goal. We don't want a hindrance that might cause any kind of irritation. Pakistanis have everything to gain from this friendship. They will have a huge market to invest upon..a huge middle class with buying power who can buy their products.
The word "friendship" has become so cheap.
One cannot expect anything substancial is going to take place.But maintaining a benign gesture from both sides is far more desirable than barking at each other.Meanwhile the venom spitters can exchange their emissions which, let´s hope, will thin out with time and experience.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: "I am NOT hopeful that any issue pending for the last 65+ years between Pakistan and India will be settled, as India is not serious in settling the disputes, no matter if it the global conditions requires that."
10 years ago, Indian thinking was different. Now we all know that Indophobia, not India, is the cause of all the problems Pakistan is having today. In fact, Zia might have acted differently in Afghanistan had India and Pakistan been good friends.
So, in all honesty, India has the upper hand in every which way you can think of. So, if a proposal is coming from there, it should be taken a bit more seriously, I would say.
This statement is only to increase the trade which India is getting benefit. A trade diplomacy by which India want to cripple Pakistan economy. Our government is not as visionary as the Indians are.
@Its (still) Econonmy Stupid: all these issues are relevant man.
@LionHeart: ... Who are you to give guarantees? And since when exactly did you become the voice of all Indians?
Before friendship comes mutual respect and if there is one thing i can guarantee the people of Pakistan, It is a promise that they shall never be respected by Indians. Take this from a true blue Mumbai resident.
I am NOT hopeful that any issue pending for the last 65+ years between Pakistan and India will be settled, as India is not serious in settling the disputes, no matter if it the global conditions requires that.
India should open its cards, not one by one but all at a time so that Pakistan should know what exactly India wants.
Numerous meeting have held right from top to bottom level, but all in vain. Meeting between Pakistan and India is nothing more than NASHISTAN, GUFFTAN, BARKHASTAN.
Khaya Pia Kuch Nahi, Glass Tura 12 Annay.
Normal citizen across both the nation & across both side of LoC care about few general things..Inflation,electricity, roads, drinking water,education,peace. No one cares about these bilateral issues. so let there be peace,let the people get the basics of life.Let there be trade.Let there be cultural exchange,let there be cricket. But for all these things to succeed, we need to create a secure environment. How do we achieve it?.. that's the big question.
@ I am happy that this offer is coming from India Pakistan should take it It may be that soon Pakistan will beg for it . LET THEIR BE NO BORDERS BETWEEN THE SAME PEOPLE
@Hegdefunder:
I am glad some politicians in India aren't as insane as you are. Peace will prevail no matter how many of your types still in India, insha-Allah!
Very positive statement! Wishing Peace for both countries.
Miyan is Razi. Bibi is Razi. Problem is the Qazi.
@Ali: If only the Majority of your brethen had this basic commonsense this region would have been different, in terms of trade, stabilty and prosperity too !
Omar Abdullah sure aint the PM / CM or Any M of "AZAD" Jammu and Kashmir.
India actually doesn't need this friendship its more us that needs it. I don't think friendship is possible right now bearing the situation in mind but a more normal, civilised neighbourly relationship.
Friendship only comes after years of positive mutually beneficial interaction between two countries.
We should all be realistic and go one step at a time. We in Pak have many challenges to deal with and there is a big trust deficit. So we appreciate India's gesture but at the same time would like to remind our Indian neighbours of our very real limitations of which they know very well.
At the same time we are grateful for the lowering of hostilites and the slow but sure increase in normal trade relations.
you have no other option man.You have no other partner in the region, china will always kick your @ss, iran no way, afghanistan who wants, and to get blessings from US you need this friendship.
please take one step at a time, as history suggest to differ when dealing with Pakistan !