“I am viewing a new South Asia, where the borders would become merely irrelevant and people across the borders would have deep contacts with each other, a place where humanity is given supreme importance.” These views were expressed by veteran Indian peace activist Kuldip Nayar during an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today on Sunday.
Nayar, who would turn 89 on August 14 but still possesses a lot of energies and is thriving for better relations of both countries said peace in the region was not a dream now rather it has becoming reality. “More than 200,000 people every year gather at Wagha Border on both sides on Independence Day of Pak-India and lights the candles of peace. It means that masses want harmony in the relations of Pak-India,” he said adding the cultural, sports, economic and social exchanges should be encouraged to bring further closer both countries.
To a question of any Pak-India war in future, he said there was no chance of such war in the coming years. “Both the nations have realised that the solution to every problem of the region lies in better relations.”
Nayar, who often comes to Pakistan on peace mission and has visited around 200 times only for advocating peace, said nations of both countries had realised that their economic and social prosperity was only in better relations. “I have a vision of making sub-continent like European Union, where there is no visa and people are free to move. There is a common currency and common market,” he said adding the borders should become irrelevant. “I am not talking about confederation but there should be relaxation in visa policies.”
He said relations of two neighbouring countries deteriorated after Mumbai attacks in 2008 but later things got settled down. However, there was a negative impression in India over recent visit of a judicial commission from Pakistan, which has said the cross examination of Ajmal Kasab must have been allowed to it. “It was part of agreement that the judicial commission would only record statement and there will be no cross examination,” he added.
He said cricket runs in the blood of Pakistan and India and it should be concentrated on. He said in the recent years the cricket matches played important role in tranquilising relations but were later it stopped. “I would also like to encourage cricket for normalising the relations, as both nations have deep love for cricket,” he added.
Nayar said that he would also use common heroes and freedom fighters of both countries to educate new generation. He said people of both sides know about Bhagat Singh and often commemorate him but he would also remember those, who have done a lot for the region but people don’t know about them. “People don’t know about a Muslim Ashfaq Ullah Khan, who before Bhagat Singh was executed during the independence struggle only for looting a train to fund the revolution but we would like to introduce these icons,” he said. While highlighting the advantages of peace in the region, Kuldip Nayar said property prices in Indian Punjab have increased four times. “The economic activity is generated by peace,” he concluded.
