High spirits

Despite the fact that the Pakistani foreign minister had to cut short a scheduled three-day trip to India due to a death in his family, he has achieved a fair amount during his brief stay in New Delhi. The most important among these achievements is a decision to continue the ongoing process of dialog between the two countries with the next round of foreign minister level talks scheduled on July 21-22. Various CBMs and also the Jammu Kashmir issue are to be discussed then. In talks with his Indian counterpart, the Indian oil minister and the Indian prime minister, the Pakistani foreign minister and his team were also able to sort out issues related to the pipeline from Iran that will supply oil to India and Pakistan. Progress in this regard includes a settlement on prices and transit fees – a matter that has continued to bog down the pipeline project since 1994. Working groups were also set up on building confidence regarding the LoC and on economic coordination. The Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers also discussed cooperation on terrorism, jails visits by the India-Pakistan Judicial Commission and more train services between the two countries.

These are all positive steps. They have the potential, if followed up on, of benefiting people in both countries – with several further recent deaths of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails making it apparent there is room for better monitoring and the provision of swifter relief for prisoners held away from home. But, something more important than brass-tacks achievements was achieved at New Delhi. The two foreign ministers clearly struck a cordial note. Indeed, Shah Mahmood Qureishi seems also to have established a good rapport with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is expected to visit Pakistan later in the year. The statement by both sides, that all political parties in their respective countries favoured peace also indicates a desire to overcome the difficulties that traditionally hinder such efforts.

Opposition to closer ties exists in both nations, essentially from political groups who have a vested interest in keeping relations hostile, and both the PPP and the Congress will need to make an effort to ensure they are not able to sabotage the progress that has been made. For this purpose discussion in parliament on the advantages of cooperation with India may help build consensus. There is also a need to persuade people more fully of the need to end the spirit of enmity with India. Whereas sentiments are generally friendly, it cannot be denied that the anti-India propaganda included for decades in text-books, over the official media and in other places has had its impact. This needs to be undone. People need to be educated about the many benefits closer ties with India would bring so that public support can back government endeavors. Only then can there be hope of a lasting move towards true harmony with our neighbor to the east.

Posted on: 28-June-2008

Share: