India needs to accept that both countries share equal responsibility for the LoC incidents, which remain shrouded in mystery. ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID
Some feel that these steps are election gimmicks and that the Indian government needs to please its voter base at this point in time. But surely, the tireless efforts of years on the foreign policy front of a country must not be disregarded on a whim. India needs to accept that both countries share equal responsibility for the LoC incidents, which remain shrouded in mystery.
India has also rejected our offer to have the UN investigate the LoC killings as it refuses to accept any involvement from an outside authority in Kashmir, knowing that it may lead to a demand that UN resolutions on the disputed territory be heeded. However, breaking off people-to-people contact is a surefire way to sow even further hatred and ignorance. There can only be normalisation of relations if there are greater cultural, sporting and literary ties between the two countries. Progress on political issues will then surely follow, as we have seen repeatedly before the LoC incidents derailed ties.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2013.
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pass the blame because most people here spewing venom against india have grown up reading the school books that teach them the 71 war was planned by india
"India needs to accept that both countries share equal responsibility for the LoC incidents, which remain shrouded in mystery." From what evidence can one conclude that "both countries share equal responsibility for the LoC incidents" if they "remain shrouded in mystery."? "India has also rejected our offer to have the UN investigate the LoC killings as it refuses to accept any involvement from an outside authority in Kashmir, knowing that it may lead to a demand that UN resolutions on the disputed territory be heeded." Sir/Madam, what were you thinking when you signed "Simla Pact"? Did you think India shared your expedience to get your 100,000 mard-e-momin back?
What does Pakistan expect when it keeps on provoking?
Unfortunately, the " Aman ki Asha" will remain an asha thanks to Indian attitude. Indians are masters of subversion and elusive diplomacy. In history of our relations, the Indians have never been sincere in establishing the humane and peaceful relation ship. Very rightly brought out by editorial," But surely, the tireless efforts of years on the foreign policy front of a country must not be disregarded on a whim."
This what has been happening since last 60 years in our relationship, when Indians are feeling vulnerable and weak , they thrust forward the friendship hand and when they regain their balance, the first step is to retrace the steps on a certain whim. This is how we are standing at the very same spot from where we started some sixty years ago.
I think, we must very clearly start are next talks with two premises, first that India accept Pakistan as sovereign state ( they should stop hinting at the partition) and secondly, the Kashmir is the core issue between two countries.
Since last three decades, after accepting Indian plot of demands for ignoring Kashmir issue and try to solve other issues have failed. It is evident from the facts that up till now no issue rather minor or major has been solved since. ( Sir creek, Siachin, The visa issue,
Now that new US defence Secretary has said loud and clear that India has been destabilizing Pakistan via Afghanistan front, this aspect must be included in our next agenda of talks before we discuss Mumbai issue.
India does not agree that it has equal responsibility for beheading it's soldier - a strange claim to be making. More importantly if you do not realize the latest trigger I.e. the Parliamentary resolution supporting Afzal Guru then you are either naive or dishonest.
It is clear to India that Pakistan will never stop its games. Why then should it play along? What is the benefit for India? This has nothing to do with elections in India which are a year away and everything to do with Pakistan's hostile actions.
The most recent actions are directly related to the Pakistani Parliament resolution supporting an Indian terrorist convicted by Indian courts. The LOC issue happened on Jan 8 - that had not derailed the hockey match and Pakistani women even played in India after that. Also Pakistan literati participated in the ajaipur literary festival after that. The parliamentary resolution was the last straw that broke the camel's back among a series of pinpricks that had been going on well before the LOC incident.