Settling disputes: Dialogue is the only way forward says Khurshid

Indian FM says Delhi will ‘remain intellectually engaged’ with Islamabad.

With tensions still running high between Pakistan and India over skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the disputed Himalayan state of Kashmir, Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said “dialogue is the only way to iron out differences”.

“You must factor in the practical realities of the world and regional politics today, as well as the politics and compulsions of the domestic politics of Pakistan and India,” he told India’s Times Now television in an interview on Wednesday.

“There are things we don’t like – things we are not happy with – but there are things that we still hope can happen and that we feel are good in the long run, even if you strictly look at India’s national interest. Therefore, you don’t slam all doors in one go unless there is no other option left,” he said. “I did not say that we will continue (to talk to Pakistan). I said remain intellectually engaged,” he quickly clarified.

Khurshid does hark back to the disappointment with Pakistan and how its neighbour still has unanswered questions regarding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, but he insisted that cutting off all exchange was not a suitable option at this time.

Similarly, but with a milder tone, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh conveyed a message of “pursuing peace, friendship and cooperation” to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.



Singh extended good wishes to his counterpart in his August 14 greetings that were not officially released to the media. However, Indian news media published the statement of peace by quoting officials. Some media outlets claimed that the Indian premier had sent the message only after Pakistan released Prime Minister Sharif’s Independence Day wishes to Singh in which he hoped to meet with him in New York next month.

Meanwhile in his Independence Day address to the nation, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said – without naming Pakistan – that her country’s ‘patience has limits’ and ‘all necessary steps’ will be taken to ensure internal security and protect territorial integrity.

Despite India’s efforts to build friendly relations with its neighbours, there have been tensions and ‘unprovoked attacks’ on the border and repeated violations of the ceasefire on the LoC.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2013.