Is Indo-Pak meeting in Ufa a
breakthrough?
To improve India-Pakistan
relations Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the meeting with Pakistan’s
Nawaz Sharif in Ufa, a Russian town. The two came up with a joint statement
that called for talks between the respective National Security Advisers to
discuss all issues of terrorism, and steps to expedite the trial in the 26/11
Mumbai terror attacks cases. Other points included the need for early meetings
between representatives of the border security forces and Directors-General of
Military Operations of the two countries, to help address recurring incidents
on the border.
In the past, India
and Pakistan would run to the US to be the overt or covert arbiter in Indo-Pak
issues and neither would come away satisfied. Now China is playing a more
important but different role. Instead of being an arbiter, it is able to sway
opinion with the leadership in India and Pakistan. China trusts neither
Pakistan nor India. But China needs India for trade. China needs Pakistan for
access to the Indian Ocean and beyond. Pakistan trusts neither India nor China
but needs military and financial help from China and knows that India must be
engaged, just to survive. India too trusts neither China nor Pakistan. But,
China can exert pressure on Pakistan for better trade with India.
Both India and
Pakistan are at a crucial stage at this time and development should be the
agenda. Proxy war between the nations is not going to solve their main problems
but it will lead to rise in defence purchase. Both the countries have millions
of people below the poverty line and have unemployment problems they need to
concentrate on. They cannot afford to indulge themselves in such wars.
As far as the
meeting in Ufa is concerned, it is too early to predict any breakthrough. The
civilian administration says one thing but the military dispensation may say
quite another. Better watch for the ultimate results. Rather than jumping into
conclusions at the first instance.
Indo-Pak ties are
simply a complex story similar to that of two estranged brothers. Pakistan is
carved out of India only on religious philosophy encouraged by Mughal glory and
rule. United Nations had always been
under the influence of superpowers and through decades of ponder and passage of
time is finally convinced that both the brotherly nations should sort out their
problem themselves peacefully. Had Pakistan pursued proper policies with
pragmatism, it would have been in a better position by now. India too did not
fare well in overcoming poverty and illiteracy pestering the nation. What is
needed in the subcontinent is able leadership to handle things with vision,
wisdom and diplomacy. If Indian political leaders give up their lust for money,
land and power, they too can become Mahatmas and show light to others in this
world.
The real issue is
Nawaz, or any civilian in Pakistan, who can only extract concessions from India
and then hide behind the military. India has given far too many concessions
without one bit of reciprocity. Under the circumstances, the decision to
restart talks is disappointing and doomed to fail. India's best approach is to
fortify its western borders.
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