Dialogue is the only option

Those of us in Pakistan and India who would like the two countries to resolve issues, build bridges for peace and leave the history of conflicts for sober reflection are disappointed by the last-minute cancellation of the much-talked about National Security Advisers talks. The spokespersons and media outlets that have acquired a pretty aggressive, nationalistic tone in the region have wasted no time in hurling the blame on the other side. When this happens, it just creates a big noise and confusion, and only generates more nationalist sentiments that are often negatively directed toward the other.

Much of the argument and sanity are lost in all this noise. Neither country is likely to derive any benefit by not talking to the other side. Rather, engaging positively, consistently and with a purpose of developing relations of mutual benefit is imperative in view of the fast-changing environment of Afghanistan and the greater Middle Eastern region. Even states with fundamental differences have, on deeper reflection, found a lot in common. India and Pakistan cannot be an exception.

The problem is that the politicians, media and intellectuals in both countries, have lived with, and have loved too much, the narratives of the ‘enemy’ and the ‘other’ for far too long. What divides the two countries and the differences we have had for a long time are well-known, and are routinely thrown at each other. What the countries have not explored is the common ground and what they can gain from developing a better understanding of some of the fundamental challenges they face. These are terrorism, poverty, religious radicalism and social inequality.

Let me explain a few of them. First is the volatile situation in Afghanistan, essentially the result of structural flaws in society, accentuated by the three and half decades of wars. A divided and unstable Afghanistan at war will never benefit any of its neighbours. Pakistan has for long been much affected by its conflicts. Radical forces might re-emerge and, perhaps, take over Afghanistan if the ongoing state- and nation-building project sponsored by the United States begins to unravel. So far, the signs are mixed. The effect of radicalism will not be confined to the Muslim neighbours of Afghanistan; it will certainly affect Indian interests as well. Unfortunately, Afghanistan has become a competing ground for India and Pakistan. Afghanistan can be a common bridge for the transmission of energy resources from Central to South Asia. That can go a big way towards promoting development and latent interdependence between India and Pakistan. We have a strong common interest in stabilising Afghanistan. Visionary leadership in the two countries could have turned Afghanistan into a common meeting ground — far more productive than a competing ground for all matters security related.

The rise of Daesh or the Islamic State in the Middle East is not too remote a spectre of danger for the subcontinent, with the largest concentration of Muslim populations from Afghanistan to Bangladesh. In the face of this clear threat, we find Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States, all on the same side. Hopefully, it will be defeated in that region, but before that happens, it will spread out to the subcontinent. The early signs are that it is already here.

Today’s leaders of India and Pakistan appear to be consumed by old paradigms, fixations, prejudices and rivalry, which is very much evident from the way they have conducted themselves over the proposed talks. There is too much at stake and too much in common than the enmity-mongers on both sides might realise. As long as they stay in their hardened cocoons, every hope for a peaceful and stable region will be lost.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2015.

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