In such circumstances, a mere ‘desire’ to normalise relations will do little to ensure normality in the relationship between India and Pakistan. All confidence-building and conflict resolution variables need to be studied and addressed.
An increase in the volume of trade between the two countries needs tireless efforts, especially from the Indian side, as New Delhi has always, quite readily, blamed Islamabad for several confidence-shattering incidents – regardless of how much proof was available – owing to which relations between the two countries, as well as trade pursuits, have suffered most gravely.
To increase mutual trade would be constructive for the people of India and Pakistan but, without a comprehensive policy, which ensures that efforts in that direction are not scuttled every now and then, such a policy will be useless. Moreover, a comprehensive trade policy, which focuses on smooth trade and trade-related communication, is essential; a policy which keeps trade separate from other facets of Pak-India relations.
A few days ago, when Pakistan opened Wagah border to resume economic activities, bus and truck services between the two countries were suspended due to the arrest of a Pakistani truck driver, Muhammad Shafiq, on Indian charges of alleged drug smuggling. This incident caused the suspension of trade and travelling between the two countries once again.
After a round of meetings, both agreed to resume bus service but traders are still demanding the release of the driver detained in India. Such unpleasant incidents can happen in the future as well, unless a comprehensive and independent trade policy is crafted.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2014.
COMMENTS (2)
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Proof for such Crimes in pretty much available and given to pakistan, only ur country wish to look otherwise because it suits it's interest,same as no proof of Osama here, and turns out he was under the nose of the same army which u said isn't involved. Call it denial call it double games. Expect no more soft stand from us. First solve our core issues then talk urs. Anyway we are not dependant or in need of doin business with pakistan being our economy stable. Same cannot be said about urs, when your boat is under water it's you who have to be flexible not us.
Are you sure that "Indian charges of alleged drug smuggling" false? What if they are true. Was any inquiry done at paksitan's end to rebute the claim or we simply started shouting about the issue irrationally. Last year Saudi govt. also beheaded 9 pakistanis on charges of drug smuggling. Lets break the relation with Saudi too and tell Pakistan that "especially from the Saudi side, as Riyash has always, quite readily, blamed Islamabad for several confidence-shattering incidents". Your view-points are as biased as common pakistani folk so stop pretending being a intellectual whose article gets published in the tribune. For your info: - 1998 Indian PM visits Pakistan, 1999 - Kargil happend, debate is still on in Pakistan whether it was right/wrong move. - 2007 - Indian/Pakistani trade delegates meet for trade normalization, 2008 Mumbai attacks. Debates still on in Pakistan whether the killers were pakistani or not. - China tortures/oppresses/kills more muslims in Xinjiang province than India. but they are our best friends, Saudi beheads pakistanis and gives no haj subsidy to pakistanis they are our best friends.In fact more muslims died in Pakistan in last 5 years in terrorist attack than in all Indian riots combined.
I think we need to think rationally and then take a call who are our friends/enemies, rather then fuelling the sentiments of common people of pakistan, We have been doing this for last 60 years and look where we stand, if we keep playing with sentiments of common folks, in next 60 years we will stand nowhere.