It is noted with serious concern that counter productive and possibly deliberate bottlenecks on the Indian side threaten to put the classical spanner in the works with regard to the much-trumpeted trade liberalisation process. And that too even before it has properly begun. It cannot be stressed enough that this exercise must not be allowed to degenerate into non-significance reminiscent of CBMs Mr Manmohan Singh initiated with General Musharraf. Then, too, it was New Delhi’s reluctance to incorporate the agreed advance to debating politically contentious issues once popular goodwill was established that wasted diplomatic and financial efforts.
News reports of ridiculous new restrictions on Pakistani exports – uninformed bars on tonnage, etc – that jack up transportation costs clearly indicate New Delhi’s inability to tame influential lobbies. Clearly India’s cement industry remains politically powerful, obstructing Pakistan’s best bet long enough to render it uncompetitive. And since such absurdities were obviously not part of the negotiations, all else remaining constant, they betray cunning that is not only not chivalrous, but also in poor diplomatic taste, not to mention downright illegal.
Islamabad should respond, but not in kind, for the sake of the last few months’ diplomacy, if not the face value of Anand Sharma’s remarks recently, that we must do this for our children, etc, etc. There is clearly a wedge right at the heart of Delhi’s decision making machinery, a tug of war between those forever locked in a senseless confrontation from a bygone era, and those that look to move ahead for mutual benefit, just as we have here. It’s the side that shows most support for progressive elements across the divide that will do both a huge favour. If the high, and low, of the recent past prompts a suggestion, it’s that Pakistan and India must keep talking, preferably at the highest level, and remove irregularities personally, at least initially.
