India-Pakistan talks — need for maturity
Given importance and sensitivity of these talks, it may be wise on this occasion to revisit our stance on the matter
The Indian reaction is predictably knee-jerk. Meetings such as that proposed with prominent Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders are common. PHOTO: AFP
No talks between India and Pakistan, no matter the size or gravity of the issue, are ever easy. By their very nature, they are difficult, because they have to go to the heart of the ongoing conflict from the outset if they are to be meaningful, and will have to include players and stakeholders that are not acceptable to either side.
That is what talks such as this are about, the art of the possible and the creation of diplomatic space where none existed before, the islets of equanimity that are the outposts of a nascent peace process. They may still be surrounded by conflict, but they are the working area which is safe for both sides.
Getting as far as a point at which such islets may be contemplated in the context of a conflict as ossified as that between India and Pakistan is a gargantuan task. Although scheduled for August 23-24, the National Security Advisers moot in New Delhi is far from being a foregone conclusion — a fact recently noted in these columns. The latest rock in the road comes in the form of an invitation to Kashmiri leaders to meet the Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, on his visit to India, and the prospects of Mr Aziz raising the Kashmir issue at the talks.
The Indian reaction is predictably knee-jerk. Meetings such as that proposed with prominent Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders are common, and have not previously triggered a response like the brief house arrest of these leaders as has happened. However, given the importance and sensitivity of these talks, it may be wise on this occasion to revisit our stance on the matter. Not as any sign of weakness on our part, more as an indicator of strength and flexibility, a willingness to go the extra mile even before the metaphorical gun has been fired to start the race. If ever there was a time to display maturity, it is now. There is an opportunity here to create one of those islets referenced above. An opportunity that neither side can afford to miss. Cool heads must prevail.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2015.
That is what talks such as this are about, the art of the possible and the creation of diplomatic space where none existed before, the islets of equanimity that are the outposts of a nascent peace process. They may still be surrounded by conflict, but they are the working area which is safe for both sides.
Getting as far as a point at which such islets may be contemplated in the context of a conflict as ossified as that between India and Pakistan is a gargantuan task. Although scheduled for August 23-24, the National Security Advisers moot in New Delhi is far from being a foregone conclusion — a fact recently noted in these columns. The latest rock in the road comes in the form of an invitation to Kashmiri leaders to meet the Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, on his visit to India, and the prospects of Mr Aziz raising the Kashmir issue at the talks.
The Indian reaction is predictably knee-jerk. Meetings such as that proposed with prominent Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders are common, and have not previously triggered a response like the brief house arrest of these leaders as has happened. However, given the importance and sensitivity of these talks, it may be wise on this occasion to revisit our stance on the matter. Not as any sign of weakness on our part, more as an indicator of strength and flexibility, a willingness to go the extra mile even before the metaphorical gun has been fired to start the race. If ever there was a time to display maturity, it is now. There is an opportunity here to create one of those islets referenced above. An opportunity that neither side can afford to miss. Cool heads must prevail.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2015.