Editorial

Border solutions

Discussions have been held, but the actual conduct of a meeting is being held back by the approach adopted by India.

Editorial October 30, 2013

Mr Singh and Mr Sharif had agreed at their meeting in New York last month that the Directors General Military Operations of both countries would meet face to face to discuss the situation. PHOTO: FILE

It has been apparent for weeks now that the skirmishes along the Line of Control represent an extremely serious threat to peace in the region. We all know, given past history, a small incident could flare up into something much more serious. As the adviser to the prime minister on national security and foreign affairs mentioned a short while ago, the escalation in firing incidents at the working boundary mark the most serious violations of the ceasefire reached in 2003 in almost a decade. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had already made his annoyance over the situation known.

Something tangible clearly needs to be done and in this context, the meeting between Punjab Rangers officials and their counterparts from the Indian Border Security Force on the working boundary at Sialkot is excellent news. This sector has, in recent weeks, seen some of the most heated exchanges, leading to claims of death, injury and mass panic on either side. The agreement then to work towards normalising things along this frontier is therefore welcome. We can only wish these talks had taken place sooner; we must also hope the agreements reached during them will now be adhered to.

It is also necessary to move on from here and do everything possible to end border frictions. Mr Singh and Mr Sharif had agreed at their meeting in New York last month that the Directors General Military Operations of both countries would meet face to face to discuss the situation. A provision for contact between these officers is included in previous agreements. It is understood that discussions have been held, but the actual conduct of a meeting is being held back by the approach adopted by the Indian side, which is opposing any participation by foreign ministry officials in the sessions. This lack of flexibility is disappointing; we are told it is driven by the fact the Indian officials carrying out talks have been told that the Pakistan military does not want peace. It is vital that such pettiness be overcome and talks held at the DGMO level so that border calm can be restored as quickly as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2013.

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COMMENTS (2)

Feroz | 11 years ago | Reply

The Foreign Office mandarins have already met and talked though they are not the ones resorting to firing on the LOC. Now the DGMO's have to talk and resolve the matter. Diplomats have proved impotent and ineffective so why do they want to be there when DGMO's talk. Military folks will talk a language they alone can understand so let them talk without hindrance and prodding from other quarters.

Anjaan | 11 years ago | Reply India is opposed to Pakistani foreign ministry official to be a part of the border conflict resolution meeting, is for the simple reason that India is not ready to resume dialogue with Pakistan at the foreign ministry level. Pakistan is simply trying to resume the suspended dialogue, along with border conflict resolution, which is not acceptable to India. Indian position is, deescalating border flare-up is not linked with resumption of dialogue, which in other words mean that India rejects resumption of any dialogue with Pakistan, if it is used as a bargain in exchange of border conflicts resolution.

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