India PakistAan Diplomatic Relations- New Era New Demands

When one talks about India and Pakistan the immediate reaction click in our mind says the two cocks fighting with each other. Why is that so? Why we are still reluctant to see India’s progress and why India got envious of the Pakistan being more powerful nuclear power. This is all because of our mindset which is not ready to accept each other. Whether it is India or Pakistan, both have recognized each other as rivals. Why it seems impossible to straighten out the complexities.

 

There is much more to say. India Pakistan diplomatic relations are so wide in a way that we can hold endless talks on it. Problem is everywhere, but matter resolves somehow but why India Pak issues are still pending? Does no one want to settle it out? Or are there other elements that create barrier in smooth ongoing relations. May be they are afraid that if Indian and Pakistani patch up, their combined power would be stronger than the rest of the world.

 

Japan and US are today strategic partners even after Hiroshima and Nagasaki disaster.  Even Europeans fought deadly wars many times, but they are on a stage which is little more matured. France, Italy, England and Germany are now working together in cooperation for the mutual development of the region and hence Europe in turn, despite of being involved in world wars against each other.

 

It’s not like that both countries are reluctant to solve their differences. Instead in past many bilateral talks were held even US served as a mediator. Bhutto’s first government took steps to normalize relations with India. Nawaz Sharif’s most significant step towards bilateral rapprochement came during his second tenure when he signed the Lahore declaration with his Indian counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee in which both the countries agreed to intensify their efforts to resolve all issues including the issue of Kashmir.

 

As with Bhutto’s, Sharif’s efforts to make peace with India were scuttled as the Kargil War broke out in May 1999 which left all over unsolved. However Musharraf also played key role in maintaining the peaceful relations. Whereas The PPP’s efforts to resume the composite dialogues came to an abrupt halt following the 26 November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. Mumbai attacks marked the seething anger among both the countries. In reaction of which India put an immediate stop to all goodwill gestures, trade links and political dialogue with Pakistan. This was clearly no time for niceties. However charged Ajmal Qasab has now been hanged in India’s jail. Can we hope this chapter will close onwards? I guess no as India wants complete terrorism wipe out.

 

Nevertheless Kashmir is the basis of all enmity between both the countries. Both are spending huge sums over this issue which could be better utilized elsewhere. Although we have many problems but we want the issue to settle out. The word compromise seems good on a paper to make Kashmir independent as what the Kasmiris and most of Pakistanis want. But it’s highly impractical because of the complex and volatile politics of this region and because of the fact that neither India, nor Pakistan would be prepared to give up one square inch of Kashmiri land. Anyhow Pakistan wants the bone of contention to resolve but India doesn’t even bother about it as it has complete army control over it. It’s high time for the egos to put down, to face the facts and find a reasonable solution to the problem.

 

There has also been taken numerous non-governmental efforts to normalize relations. Launched by two leading Indian and Pakistani media enterprises in January 2010, The Times of India and The Jang Group respectively, the Aman ke Asha (Hope for Peace) initiative promotes a range of activities including cultural programs such as concerts and literary shows which has the potential to boost the relations.

 

On a 3-day visit of Pakistan, The Indian Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna with her counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar signed a much awaited visa accord. The liberalization of visa constitutes an important facet of any bilateral relationship as it facilitates movement of people, encourages exchange of views, and most importantly, contributes to lowering of the walls of distrust.

 

Moreover both the countries have recognized the core value of Trade between each other which is seen as a ray of hope. “Trade Diplomacy” will probably play a large part in the future development of the Indo-Pak relationship and that’s very well considering the economic situation in Pakistan. Major advantages for the Pakistani as well as the Indian economy include cheaper transportation costs due to shorter distances, making it unnecessary for the industries to carry large inventories of raw materials and intermediate goods, thus reducing operation costs. The normalization of Trade relations with India would “open a hitherto stalled growth node for the Pakistani economy”, said political economist Asad Sayeed.

 

Water issue is very contentious between both the countries which was somehow resolved through UN with the treaty signed “Indus Water Treaty” (IWT). Afterwards India constructed as many hydro projects as she could and are made as such which effect the Pakistan’s IWT- guaranteed access to water. The manipulation of IWT provisions by India and growing water scarcity in Pakistan can lead both the countries toward an armed conflict. However improved economic ties and the resultant easing of tensions would provide more conducive environment to work towards resolving water disputes. Simultaneously both the countries should make a regular practice to free each other’s prisoners time to time which will ultimately result in strengthening of peaceful relations.

 

India’s most polarizing rightwing politician Bal Thakrey whose visceral hatred of Pakistan matched his adulation of Adolf Hitler died from the lung ailment. We can hope that anti Pakistan and anti Muslim legacy will finish and hostility will die with the burial of Bal Thakrey and the new leadership of his party will diminish Muslim animosity and endeavor better relations between India Pakistan.

 

In Italy, for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. Anything is possible if our thinking is optimistic. Because pessimistic minds lead no where but to misunderstandings and problems. We can hope for the best that both the neighbors one day, in the distant future, may meet at destination peace.