Indo-Pak relation improves considerably
Islamabad is to send High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood back to India to
host the Pakistan National Day reception in New Delhi, and New Delhi is to send to Pakistan the
Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat. Has good sense prevailed
on both sides? Since the 19th of
this month, India and Pakistan have not fired at each other across the border in
Jammu and Kashmir barring one exception.
The two governments must discuss and resolve the sensitive issue. Harassment of each other’s diplomatic
personnel should stop. Aggressive surveillance of each other’s diplomatic
personnel is nothing new in the India-Pakistan context. Back in 1990, during
the initial years of the insurgency in Kashmir and the heightened fears of an
India-Pakistan military escalation, it had become particularly difficult for
diplomats to work in each other’s countries. The situation was far worse than
it is today, and yet the two Foreign Secretaries were able to reach an
agreement on the treatment of diplomatic personnel.
Dealing with each other’s spies is another issue. How should India treat Pakistani spies caught in
India and vice versa? Undercover
operatives are often subjected to the most inhumane forms of torture by the
captors if they happen to get caught. Espionage is very much part of statecraft
that all modern states engage in, as do India and Pakistan. Those engaged in
espionage should be expelled rather than tortured or killed. As recently as in
2010, Russia and the U.S. exchanged spies in the city of Vienna.
The state of communication between India and Pakistan is at its lowest
ebb in more than a decade. Given that the year ahead is critical for India and
Pakistan and the bilateral relationship, the focus should be on enhancing and
improving communication. On the positive side, however, there has been some
subtle messaging from the Pakistani side about its desire to normalise ties
with India. This is something decision-makers in New Delhi should capitalise
on. For this to happen,
Pakistan should also initiate tough action against anti-India terrorist groups
based in Pakistan. The fact that the Indian High Commissioner and the defence
attaché were in attendance at the military parade to mark Pakistan Day in
Islamabad indicates that the channels of communication have begun to open up.
The two sides must build on it.
There were many opportunities to forge good relations in history like
Simla agreement. But domestic politics made relations sour. If opportunist
politicians stay away, both people will be everlasting friends. Relationship is
a two way process! Mutual respect is the important ingredient in this process,
something lacking terribly at the moment.
The 'Ball is clearly in Pakistan's court', the onus is on Pakistan to
make peace overtures. Put a stop to all terrorism, and stop the firing across
the border. Harassing a diplomat lowers respect of a nation and shows
immaturity. India and Pakistan must grant easy visas to each other's citizens.
This will increase harmony and reduce hate. India can allow Pakistani students
to appear in entrance exam for higher education in India. Pakistan can give
easy tourist visa to India.
Kashmir was the vendetta Pakistan developed after losing the East
Pakistan. They should relinquish control of the illegally occupied part of
Kashmir, go back and develop a better economy and society instead of wasting
their life time on negativism. An Indian open hand is routinely met with a
Pakistani clenched fist - whether by design or default. There are far too many
spoilers in the Pak establishment (a nexus of military, mullah and militant),
with hydra-headed corridors of power. Sure, India can always play nice - but
keep the powder dry just in case.
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