It rose from the west, the sun did the other day. For the Indians have finally shown a measure of appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terror. The country’s outgoing foreign secretary Nirupama Rao has said there is a discernable change in Pakistan’s attitude in the war against terror. Concrete (her word, not ours) is a pleasant change from allegations of us shuffling our feet in the efforts to take on the terrorists.
Even more refreshingly candid was the admission of folly in the policy of not engaging in talks with Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks of 2008. Continuing her winning streak, she responded to a question about whether she expected her Pakistani counterpart to admit the alleged link between the Pakistani state and militancy, by saying such candour on his part would be unrealistic. For the Indians to realise that there are many fault lines within the Pakistani government and that the political government and civil bureaucracy is clear about the stance against militancy is extremely important. The Pakistan watchers in the Indian establishment have come to the conclusion that pushing these away would be counterproductive to regional peace.
It is hoped that this positive attitude actually translates into positive developments on the ground when the foreign ministers meet next, expected to be sometime this month. It would also do the Pakistani government well to not become complacent about its efforts. At the end of the day, after all, it is not really the Indians that we would be doing a favour by getting our act in order but ourselves. The terrible loss of life in Mumbai is, after all, dwarfed by the total amount of lives that Pakistan has lost to acts of terror. At a time when even time-tested friends, like the Chinese, are getting nervous about the havens of terror that are admittedly operating from within our country, we should be more understanding towards the apprehensions of traditional foes.
