The Indo-Pak peace

National security vs welfare state

Should the priority and focus of the state be national security or the security and welfare of the people who live in it? This is an issue, which is being debated particularly in Pakistan and in other South Asian countries.

I belong to the school of thought which believes that social welfare should not be compromised by national security considerations. No doubt, territorial integrity and stability within the states and from inter-state conflicts must be secured, but the paramount consideration ought to be the social welfare of the people. If social welfare is not secured then the people tend to secure their economic interest in other countries.

Regrettably, in India and Pakistan our budget allocation priorities have remained riveted on defence sector. If we cannot afford to make such huge allocations for the defense, we readily indulge in borrowings in billions of dollars, which makes our future generations also heavily indebted. This obviously results in neglect of the social sector. These arguments constitute simple common sense but unfortunately certain vested interests and the establishments of our countries, which thrive on promotion of hatred and conflicts, reject such simple logic and reasoning.

The prudent and advisable policies to secure both national security and social welfare of the people, is to strike warm, cordial relations and cooperation in all sphere, with our neighboring countries, rather than placing reliance on distantly located USA or the western block. China, in my opinion, appears to be more trustworthy neighbour to secure not only defence but also equitable economic developments.

Last year in July a conference was held in China to discuss ways and means to promote collaboration between China and SAARC through enhanced people to people exchanges. It is obvious from the very decision to hold this Conference in China that both the government and its think tanks are equally desirous of promoting more close and cordial relations with the SAARC countries. Greater cooperation and closer ties of the SAARC countries with China, in my opinion would not only serve our national security concerns but also enable us to give greater priority and allocation to the social sector, which is the craving need of the oppressed people of the entire South Asia region.

It is very heartening to note that in the post-Cold War era, both Congress and BJP of India have wisely pursued a consistent policy of reconciliation and engagement with China. The past prime ministers of these parties and other leaders of India have repeatedly expressed that “India had no wish to hold China as an enemy or a threat”. They reinforced the desire to establish friendly relations with China. At no point has the diplomatic engagement between India and China ceased. Even the 1998 nuclear tests by India did not cause any harm to India’s policy and relations with China. To my knowledge, India has also succeeded in making some of the territorial adjustments with China. Lately, the economic ties between India and China have attained new heights, perhaps China is the biggest trading partner of India.

On the other hand, China is the most trusted ally and strategic partner of Pakistan for close to five decades. China, being the common denominator between India and Pakistan, is well placed to play a significant role in promoting cordial relations, peace and progress not only between our three countries but also in the entire South Asia region. China’s high profile in the economic interactions at both bilateral and regional levels has most favourable implications for the region as a whole.

It is necessary to highlight a most portent threat to our security, that of terrorism. It is not only destroying peace and security of both India and Pakistan, but also harming trust and confidence between the two. Those terrorists, who were involved in one of the worst tragedies of 26/11 in Mumbai, or in the terrorist attack on Parliament in Delhi on 13th December 2001 or in the commission of the same barbaric acts of terrorism every other week in all nooks and corners of Pakistan, are enemies of Pakistan and equally of India. Pakistan in particular, is the worst victim of religious extremist terrorist organisations. According to unofficial sources since 2002, more than 7,000 members of our military and paramilitary forces and police have sacrificed their precious lives in confronting these terrorists while more than 70,000 innocent citizens in various part of our country have died in innumerable attacks by the terrorists during the same period.

The imperatives of the foreign policy of both India and Pakistan must be focused on the principles of peaceful coexistence and economic collaboration and to put an end to the blame game strategy and the hate propaganda by state or non-state elements against each other.

I am mindful of the fact that the issue of Kashmir is a serious bone of contention between India and Pakistan. However, this dispute should not be allowed to prevent, forever cordial relations between our two countries. I have been urging and pleading for over a decade that one of the viable, realistic and pragmatic solutions for resolving the Kashmir dispute, at least for the time being and without prejudice to the respective stand of the two countries on Kashmir, is to de-facto accept the line of control with some adjustment as the international border.

In my view, this is also the spirit and objective of the Shimla Agreement of 1972. The aforesaid acknowledgement must, however, be followed by a treaty between India and Pakistan containing firm and sincere commitments a) That both the countries must discourage and prevent aggressive actions, militancy or terrorism or policy of blame game against each other; and b) Border between the two countries and between the two Kashmirs should be opened to the people at large with free access, free trade, exchange of cultural activities, academics, intellectual groups, sports events, free access to the electronic and print media etc.

I would also like to highlight the incalculable dividends that we can draw by establishment of peace, harmony, open borders, environment of trust, cooperation and collaboration between the SAARC countries and with China will usher a new era of prosperity and peace.

The writer is a senior advocate of the Supreme Court, a former Senator, Attorney General and Federal Minister. He may be contacted at [email protected]