‘People of India and Pakistan must work together to build an Asian century’

Q: The India Today Conclave titled ‘The Asian Century’ is a great idea and I’m sure that like the years past this 2012 Edition too would be long remembered for the erudition of its keynote speakers, keenness of its participants and for good measure its splendid organization. For the sake of enlightening the Pakistani audiences through Pakistan Today, will you please share the seminal idea behind this particular topic and what do you expect it to bring to the fore?
A: Each year India Today Conclave brings together the biggest thought leaders from across the globe for exchange of ideas. This year the theme is the Asian century. It is relevant because the world acknowledges that this century belongs to Asia. What we attempt through this event is to bring to the fore fresh ideas and innovative thinking that can be implemented to achieve the goal of the Asian century.
Q: How can the sub-continent quite substantively achieve its potential while peace between India and Pakistan continues to remain elusive?
A: As South Asia’s power houses, peace between India and Pakistan is pivotal. We have the power of human capital and markets that can make us a global leader. The important thing is to keep our differences aside and move forward on areas of cooperation.
Q: Pakistan and India have a longstanding history of trust deficit, both on authoritative and public level. Can this trust deficit ever be overcome? If yes, how?
A: Over the years the mistrust between the two has reduced but greater people to people contact is a way out to bridge the divide. It is here that events like the India Today Conclave can play an important role to bridge the trust deficit.
Q: Speaking of trust deficit, the everlasting blame game between the two countries’ chief intelligence agencies – RAW and the ISI – gives the impression of never going away. Whenever a terrorist act takes place on either side of the border, the next door neighbour is at the top of the suspect list. How big a hurdle is this perception in building up trust that is a prerequisite for peace?
A: No I beg to differ here. This may have been the case earlier but now even security agencies of both sides don’t indulge in blame game. Your interior minister Mr Rehman Malik told our news channel Headlines Today that Pakistan sacked two officials in Lahore who blamed India for a bomb attack without any evidence. This is a sign of growing maturity and greater understanding in our relationship.
Q: Being a frontline media figure and leading a most diverse group in India, are you satisfied that with its vibrancy on both sides of the border, media has done enough in pitching for peace?
A: A free and vibrant media is an essential pillar of any democracy and in the context of India and Pakistan I strongly believe that media is playing an important role in bridging the gap between our two countries. Most importantly, our respective media should be easily and freely available in both countries.
Q: The establishment in our two countries aside, how ready do you believe are the people of both countries to accept those on the other side of the border with a spirit of goodwill and accommodation? How deep set in your view is this “self and other” model in the minds of the peoples of the two countries?
A: I think there is no doubt in India in any quarter about Pakistan as an independent sovereign nation. As neighbours we are destined to be with each other. What we need to do is to leverage our core strengths, allow greater trade, let people meet each other and interact. The people of our two countries are greatest assets. Let’s use our combined strength to build a win-win partnership.
Q: Cricket diplomacy – does it actually work or is its real impact on the diplomatic procedure blown out of proportion?
A: Cricket is in the blood of India and Pakistan. I believe it is important that cricketing ties between the two countries should grow. It will bring greater trust and economic benefits to both the countries. Winning or losing a match is no longer an issue of national honour as it was in the past. People of both countries take it in their stride. I follow every India-Pakistan cricket match with great interest and I am looking forward to the one on March 18.
Q: The last time the people of two countries were brought together in large numbers was in 2004, on the famous resumption of cricketing ties when Sourav Ganguly brought his team across. Nearly 20,000 Indian spectators visited Lahore and other Pakistani cities, and the bonhomie and goodwill was only seen to be believed. In that context, is it fair to assume that if the people of two nations are allowed to cross border frequently and in far greater numbers, this would automatically put us on an irreversible path to lasting peace? Instead of the stifling visa regime, should the two governments not be amenable to an open and relaxed one?
A: I am a firm believer that we need to let people of India and Pakistan interact more freely. I believe some measures to liberalise the visa regime are in the offing. We need to expedite them. It will lead to a greater understanding about each other which is very important for bilateral relationship.
Q: With cricket being such a passion on both sides of the border, is it right to put the cricketing relations in deep freeze at the slightest hint of unease at the governmental level?
A: I am of the opinion that we shouldn’t hold cricket ties hostage to our political differences. It can provide a good platform for confidence building and we must build on the goodwill from playing cricket with each other.
Q: And, the question most often asked everywhere in Pakistan: What good can accrue from the Indian Board’s snubbing Pakistan cricket and cricketers by refusing to engage them in the IPL and our national club from participation in the Champions League?
A: I can’t comment on the Board of Cricket Control of India’s decision on that, but I would reiterate that cricketing ties shouldn’t be held hostage to political differences that we may have, but I would have to stress that we can not brush aside issues like terrorism which continues to be a big concern for India.
Q: First things last – core issues. Many analysts believe that without the resolution of the Kashmir issue and the water dispute, no amount of diplomatic measures can succeed in effectively improving relations between India and Pakistan. What is your take on this?
A: We have to discuss all issues and resolve them, Jammu and Kashmir, water issues, terrorism all these are issues which continue to retard our relationship. But these are complex issues. We can’t ignore them but it is important to explore areas where we can achieve some progress and then address the more difficult issues. It should be a step by step approach. Lets build the trust and address the issues where we can move forward.
Q: From your profile I gather that you were a toddler living in Lahore when the partition happened. Do you ever yearn to return, if not to live here but to visit as often as you’d like?
A: I was very young when my family migrated from Pakistan, but I believe I feel at home whenever I visit Pakistan. It is the hospitality, the warmth of people, the love and affection that you get when you visit the country that makes it special. I believe this is a unique trait which binds our two countries together and that is the reason why people of India and Pakistan must work together to build an Asian century.