India-Pakistan Talks

by raven_gale | March 2, 2010 at 02:27 am

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That dialogue is in the interests of both countries is not in doubt. The US has always encouraged dialogue. So has China. Pakistan has repeatedly said that it wants a resumption of the broken down institutionalized dialogue between the two countries. The Indian Prime Minister has clearly stated that the only option is dialogue between the two countries. Recently the Saudi Foreign Minister stated in the presence of the Indian Minister of State for Foreign Relations that he was concerned over the rise of violence and terrorism in Pakistan and advised the Pakistani political leadership to jointly address this issue. The bomb blast in Pune, India and the ongoing violence in India’s north east point as well as the attack in Kabul all highlight the vulnerability of internal environments in the region. Both India and Pakistan are aware of ‘interests’ that do not want the India-Pakistan talks to make any headway. Pakistan is implementing a policy of supporting stability in Afghanistan and its own western border areas with marked success---but also with an inevitable blow-back.

From an outsider’s perspective, I could see very little difference between India and Pakistan. I am aware that Pakistan is a Muslim country while India is predominantly Hindu. But after six decades of separation one would assume that friction between the two nuclear armed rivals would have subsided somewhat. It seems that the civilian population on both sides are comfortable with having cordial relations (if not friendly) but certain groups inside and outside the governments see that as a threat… threat to what? I fail to understand. Is it because defence expenditures can be cut down to minimum? Do certain parties find that unacceptable?

Whatever the reasons, both countries can resolve their issues if certain parties can give up their personal gains and losses. Many lives can be saved, poverty can be better managed, money can be used for health care and education, trade and tourism can be improved. Both countries have everything to gain and nothing to lose.