The history of independence of India and Pakistan’s creation is soaked in human blood. Fear of insecurity caused by partisan moves and presence of a strong lobby of Hindutva leaders in mainstream political amalgam spearheading the movement of independence, the Indian National Congress, communal utterances of fanatics, coupled with tit-for-tat rhetoric from Muslim elite, used to rule for centuries as landlords and bureaucrats, contributed in dividing the country (read “division of the country” as “dividing Muslim population of the subcontinent in three parts”). This is why two new nations, in spite of so many commons have been living in fear psychosis and politics of enmity, and war thrived in the region. Immense sufferings of people on both sides went on multiplying and our strategists continued piling of arms stocks “to deter each other”.
To be militarily strong is good if it is to ensure security and peace. It is bad if aimed to down the other to enforce solutions of differences on gunpoint and thinking “peace” on own terms. Unfortunately two neighbours, India and Pakistan have been treating each other as the “biggest enemy” and trying to coerce each other militarily and diplomatically. However, it is pleasant to note that the present democratic leadership seems determined to change this course of six decades. The enlightened leaderships of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani are steering two nations in the new atmosphere of mutual trust, cooperation and coordination and eliminate elements causing mistrust. Recent talks between foreign secretary of India Ms. Nirupma Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad have proved a big step in this direction. The success achieved in this round of talks remained invisible, but a qualitative change noticed in the atmosphere is immense. Slogans like “biggest enemy” have drowned down in more loud voices of “Must give a chance of friendship”.
Issuance of a joint statement and joint press conference are being seen as positive indicators of the talks. It has been in the past that both sides gave their own assessment of engagement in separate press meetings. This indicated that that both “traditional rivals” are on the path of accommodation and ready to cooperate in a trustworthy manner. The joint statement noted, “The talks were held in a frank and cordial atmosphere. Both sides reiterated their intention to carry forward the dialogue process in a constructive and purposeful manner.” Such announcements are a routine in diplomatic meetings, however this time peace lovers on both sides have sensed sincerity and reality of good intentions.
A wide range of issues was discussed with the same spirit. The statement said, “The issues of Peace and Security, including CBMs, were discussed in a comprehensive manner. Both sides emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue to promote mutual understanding.”
After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan tsunami, issue of nuclear installations safety has become a great cause of concern all over the world. In the beginning Pakistan was reluctant to discuss the issue, but ultimately Salman Bashir agreed with Ms Rao and both sides discussed the issue along with “ongoing implementation of various Nuclear and Conventional CBMs.” The statement announced that both have agreed “to convene separate Expert level meetings on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs to discuss implementation and strengthening of existing arrangements and to consider additional measures, which are mutually acceptable, to build trust and confidence and promote peace and security.”
Another crucial issue from Indian point of view is that of terrorism. Pakistan is also facing the brunt of terror in all corners. However in the past, India has been complaining of terror export from Pakistan and numerous facilities available to terror groups there. Beyond non-state actors, it was also suspected that some elements in Pakistan’s Military Establishment are playing a role therein. Now, “both countries have recognised that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security”. They also expressed their resolve “to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations.” And for the purpose, “They agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism.”
Issue of Jammu and Kashmir is equally sensitive for Pakistan. To have room for Pakistan’s political and diplomatic concerns India not only agreed to discuss the complex issue on the agenda but also allotted a full session for the matter. This depicts maturity of vision and strength of Indian leadership. India has announced time and again that a strong and stable Pakistan is our priority. Nirupama Rao acted accordingly. It was announced in the statement, “The Foreign Secretaries exchanged views on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.”
In an effort to resolve Kashmir tangle some steps were taken to ease restrictions of movement between two parts of Kashmir and restoration of cross LoC trade. These Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) have resulted positively in people-to-people contacts between family members living on either side of LoC and also expended trade activity. It was being felt that the present arrangement needs expansion. On this point, “Both sides agreed to convene a meeting of the Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs to recommend measures for strengthening and streamlining the existing trade and travel arrangements across the LoC and propose modalities for introducing additional Cross-LoC CBMs.” It was announced that the Working Group will meet in July 2011, before scheduled meeting of Foreign/ External Affairs Minister in New Delhi. Till now the transaction of business is based on barter system. During these talks feasibility and desirability of opening the branches of Banks on the other side of the border were also considered.
On the issue of relaxation in Visa regime, “Both sides agreed to the need for promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries. They noted with satisfaction the progress made towards finalisation of the Visa Agreement which will help liberalise the visa regime and facilitate people-to-people, business-to-business and sports contacts.” In the same context they also “discussed measures for promoting cooperation in various fields including, facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.” They also agreed that people of the two countries are at the heart of the relationship and that humanitarian issues should be accorded priority and treated with sensitivity. It is hoped that new visa agreement will be ready before next Ministerial level talks.
This round of talk will be remembered by aggressive peace offensive of Indian Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Nirupama Rao. In her inaugural remarks at hurriedly called press conference, she called to remove “shadow of the gun” and “ideology of military conflict” and to adhere the path of peace, mutual trust and harmony. She said, “In our discussions, we were guided by the vision of our two Prime Ministers to build trust and confidence by discussing various issues in an open and constructive spirit and in a forward looking manner.”
It is not an easy task to flame the light of trust in the long standing history of mistrust. So she underlined, “We have been fully conscious of the complexities of our relationship and the consequent need to take incremental steps to promote mutual confidence and understanding.” And, “in doing this, we are inspired by our goal of the eventual normalisation of the India-Pakistan relationship and the resolution of outstanding issues through peaceful, serious and sustained, bilateral dialogue.”
She strongly pleaded that for this cause both nations should understand, “The shadow of the gun and the violence needs to end” (stress supplied) as it has unleashed and caused untold sufferings on our people.
She further said, “The ideology of military conflict should have no place in the paradigm of our relationship of the 21st century.”
It may be hoped that this peace offensive on Indian Diplomat is not only a ‘course-correction’ but turning point of the attitude of big brother which was equally responded by Pakistan. Thanks to Allah. He is Who departs the heart and He is Who brings the departed brothers together. Story of Prophet Yusuf as narrated in the Qur’ān is a good example of this. Next, what she said echoed the story when his brothers returned to him in Egypt for trade. Nirupama Rao stressed the need of peace and trade when she said, “Instead (of shadow of gun and terror our) relationship should be characterised by the vocabulary of peace, all round co-operation in the interest of our people, growing trade and economic interaction, as well as, people-to-people contacts – and all this, let me emphasise, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.”
She called the meeting as positive discussions, “constructive and substantive.”
As a good sign thinking in Pakistan is also changing. This echoed in the frank and forward statement of Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Defence Minister of Pakistan in an interview to BBC. He said, “Pakistan cannot afford to match the induction of modern weaponry by India, which possibly has a greater capacity to sustain a war”.
“If we only try to match them (India) militarily and buy the sort of armament which they have, we will probably not be able to afford it,” Mr. Mukhtar said. Explaining his contention, he noted that India’s economy is “six to seven times bigger than” Pakistan’s and its trade volumes were “five to six times greater.”
“The capacity of India and Pakistan to fight was for 20 to 22 days. Now India has inducted a lot of armaments, may be they can last for 45 days, we will not be able to do so,” Mr. Mukhtar said.
This statement of Chaudhry Mushtaq is important to remind those who have been used to “India-Centric” defence and foreign policy.
The statement of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif for a reappraisal of Pakistan’s ties with New Delhi is equally important to gauge the mood. He said, “If we want to go forward and progress, the nation must stop treating India as its biggest enemy.”
In Dawn, the most popular daily of Pakistan, Mr. Adnan Rehmat, in a detailed analysis of Indo-Pak relations, has strongly pleaded, “The only way to protect Pakistan against threats, perceived and unperceived, is to build trust, peace, trade and interdependence with India, Afghanistan and Iran and key global allies that have deep interest in the region’s stability. Safety and protection will not come from the military’s policy of paranoia to serve in ‘national interest’ which forces the unwilling country to weaken or leverage regional and international players by internal and external state and non-state provocations. These include supporting some militant organisations allied with al Qaeda and Taliban while going after others and by both doing little and seen to be doing even less to stem the involvement of people in attacks or attempted attacks in India, Afghanistan, the US and Europe.”
Rehmat’s approach has been widely acclaimed and scores of reactions appeared in the paper in following days. We can conclude that the atmosphere in the subcontinent is changing fast in favour of peace and Jacobabad operation has acted as a catalyst. In India too, there are many hot-headed elements who advocate targeted military action against Pakistan to teach it a lesson. Reconciliation with Muslim Pakistan does not suit their long term objective of creating a “Brahminist” State in India. After assassination of Osama Bin Laden there was unprecedented uproar in electronic media for military option. It is heartening that no provocation, even 26/11 heinous attack on Bombay, Hadley statements or Wikileaks revelations, failed to succeed to astound Indian leadership from the path of reconciliation and trust.
[The writer is Gen. Sec of Forum for Civil Rights, email: [email protected]]