Both Pakistan and India have been conditioned to exhibit nothing but hatred towards each other since independence. The inconclusive talks between both countries on the demilitarization of Siachen exemplify this aspect with painful clarity. Friedman, very eloquently states in his book ‘The Next Decade’ that, “the nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred…is in some degree a slave…to its animosity, which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest”.
A thaw in the protracted freeze that had triggered since the unfortunate incident in 2008, however, ought to have occurred by now. Significant in all this is the confession of David Headley who out rightly rejects the involvement of any senior ISI official in the Mumbai attack. The duty that India has towards it own citizens, from which more than 75 % are living below the UN established poverty line is obviously something that the Indian government needs to focus upon instead of harbouring and fuelling this inherent animosity towards its neighbour.
Better relations between both Pakistan and India are in the mutual benefit of both the countries. Considering the amount of money both the nations spend on defence purposes instead of development can form the fundamental framework for an altered and friendly stance. Furthermore, despite a spatial and temporal disconnect, linkages between people of both countries are still intact. Instead of promoting hatred, India would serve the region better by keeping regional interests as primary.
DR SAFA RAHMAN
Islamabad
