Peace process

Rizwan Asghar

A year has passed since the “Aman ki Asha” peace initiative was launched. In one year this project has made commendable progress towards meaningful dialogue and enhancing person-to-person contacts. This step has also helped to change the public perception of bilateral relations.
The region of South Asia is inhabited by almost 1.5 billion people, whose survival depends on the level of political stability in this disturbed region. This political stability can come only through mature leaders in the two countries who can think beyond their narrow interests and take bold decisions without holding on to their past which fans suspicion and enmity between the two nations. During the last three years a number of official and track-two initiatives were taken but no significant step could be taken at the governmental level for the resolution of the fundamental disputes between India and Pakistan.
The main reason for this fiasco is that India is quite unwilling to agree on a comprehensive agenda for future talks. It has not consented to the discussion of the fate of the disputed territory of Kashmir in future talks. Rather, it has always attempted to bracket peace efforts with terrorism. On the other hand, Pakistan has stuck to its guns and seeks to hold the composite dialogue.
New Delhi overlooks the fact that intransigence is not the solution of any problem. India is almost three times larger than Pakistan, has a vibrant economy and huge military might with overbearing influence in the region and is supported by the United States. India wants to be a global player, but its political leadership is unaware of the fact that bad relations with all neighbours will ultimately be harmful for its global image and ambitions.
The two countries could reach a consensus only if they commit themselves to resolving the long-standing issues that have hitherto embittered bilateral relationship. Hopes of establishing enduring peace in the region may remain elusive as long as India persists in its policy of resolving outstanding issues on its own terms. Another thing which is worth mentioning is that although the incumbent government in Delhi is convinced that “Islamic terrorism” is not a major problem, it continues to play up this perceived threat as a bargaining chip in the negotiations. As Wikileaks revealed, Rahul Gandhi, India’s emerging Congress leader, believes that “saffron terrorism” poses a bigger threat to his country’s stability than Islamic militants.
Another discomforting aspect of Pak-India bilateral relations is the continuous involvement of the intelligence agencies of both countries in undertaking subversive activities on the other side of the border. So a positive action cannot translate into concrete reality till these agencies are reined in. The tenuous nature of the mutual relationship can be gauged from the fact that the activities of the diplomatic staff of both India and Pakistan are looked at with suspicion looks in their host countries.
Despite all deep-seated differences, to continue talking is the only option. The two countries, so far, are miles away from the resolution of key issues. But even then we have come a long way from the days when we used to fight over our differences. Dialogue is the only tool to resolve contentious issues. We also need to shed the baggage of the past to reduce mutual mistrust.
European countries fought with one another for centuries but a point came when their leaders started appreciating the significance of peace and prosperity. By collective efforts and sincerity of purpose our future can be different from our strife-stricken past and measures in conformity with the views of the people of the two countries can ultimately lead to transformation in our mutual relations.