Even Karzai now

Saturday, July 31, 2010
The regional game of finger pointing continues. This time blame has been directed towards Pakistan from the West, with President Hamid Karzai saying in Kabul that allies should be aware that the training centres and sources of funding for militants in Pakistan are a key reason for terrorism in Afghanistan. He also suggested that ISAF forces target militant strongholds in Pakistan, a statement that almost beggars belief for its naïveté. Mr Karzai, it seems, regards an invasion of our sovereignty as little more than an operational trifle. We wonder how he would react if we suggested that in an attempt to cut cross-border criminal activity Pakistani forces should target his half-brother who allegedly runs a vast criminal organisation out of Kandahar. As of late, we have become something of a punching bag, with various accusations coming in from a number of places that we harbour terrorists – or worse. The charges have come from the US, the UK and from India. Now Afghanistan and its wobbly president have jumped on the bandwagon.

Pakistan has a terrorist problem and there is no point in denying this. But it is also not alone in creating it, nor is it the only country where militant bases exist. The main issue that needs to be emphasized is that the relentless game of redirecting blame will lead nowhere at all. The countries of the region, and others involved in the war on terror need to sit down together and agree on a joint plan to defeat militants. Such cooperation is essential. We know the groups that operate on either side of the Durand Line are closely linked. They can be overcome only if countries work together -- and not against each other -- for this purpose. It is unfortunate that a willingness to accept this has not developed. Only when Kabul, Islamabad and also New Delhi are willing to work together will any headway be made against the terrorist threat. Mr Karzai in his address also spoke of a desire for friendship with Pakistan. He must understand that making accusations is not the best way to move towards this. The antagonism that exists between the two countries has strengthened the militants. Kabul must recognise this and work towards the cooperation required to weaken them in all the countries where they operate.

Manmohan's desire

Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Indian prime minister has continued to speak in positive terms about Indo-Pak relations, and has stated that, in time, talks between the two countries will resume. The comments of course say very little that is concrete. Manmohan Singh has in fact refused to be drawn into the debate of how the foreign ministers of the two countries handled the last round of dialogue, though he did suggest that the barbs heard at the Press Conference in Islamabad were, at best, unwise. This of course is true, though the matter of the unfortunate comments made in New Delhi regarding the alleged ISI involvement in Mumbai on the eve of the talks has not been taken up.

The statement of course does nothing to break the current state of deadlock. Nevertheless, it expresses a sentiment of good intent and a desire to move on with the peace effort. This in itself is important. Without goodwill, the bid to improve relations between India and Pakistan would undoubtedly flounder. Mr Singh's assertion that he does desire better ties is encouraging. What is crucial though is for him to work out what the best way is to proceed from this point on. Islamabad too needs to think along similar lines. The bogging down of the process will lead nowhere and only push back the many dividends that peace can bring to both countries and also to the South Asian region as a whole.