More of the same, please
That S M Krishna should turn up at Hina Khar’s reception in New York was a commendable gesture. This indicated that the talks between the two foreign ministers two months back in New Delhi had introduced positive changes in the atmospherics. These can play a constructive role while dealing with substantive issues that divide the two countries, Kashmir and terrorism being on top of their respective lists.
Pakistan and India face a seminal moment. They continue to waste their energy and resources on confrontation that cripples their enormous potential for growth and development. Their hostility stands in the way of cooperation that can lead to reduction in military expenditure and the consequent diversion of funds to social development and poverty reduction. The potential for bilateral trade remains highly under-utilised, while it can be increased many times on account of geographical proximity and complementarities. With dramatic changes in the environment looming ominously over South Asia, there is a dire need to realise their implications and devise ways to deal with them collectively. Unless the peace initiative is pursued with the seriousness and speed that it deserves, the two countries might finds themselves embroiled in wars over water resources in days to come.
In her address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Khar held out an olive branch to India for the resolution of all disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, through a “dialogue process”, hoping it will be “uninterrupted and uninterruptible.” Soon after the informal chat at the reception, Krishna voiced another concern that is accorded priority not only by India but also by China. Krishna insisted that Pakistan needs to fight terrorism across the board rather than selectively. On Tuesday, both Gilani and Rehman Malik assured the Chinese Vice Premier of strict action against terrorists that threaten China’s integrity. Pakistan in fact needs to ensure that no terrorist group whatsoever uses its soil to target any country in the world.
