Onions are going to save us
The innocent bulb might be in a position to do what foreign office corps and vigil-organising civil societies cannot accomplish. It also might be able to stave off what the hawks on both sides are trying to prevent. Make peace.
Something being much cheaper across the border is a greater impetus for peace and even social cohesion within a country than anything else. This might be written off as Marxist claptrap by many and they are entitled to that point of view. Yes, there are other issues, the ones that make us human, that also determine our national predilections. But the power of prices and efficiencies are the sort of stuff that can’t be argued around.
The Lahore accord between the Nawaz Sharif and A B Vajpaee governments was indeed significant. Some analysts go to the extent of arguing that the Kargil offensive was successful even if it was a failure in military terms because its objective was to scuttle the peace process between the two countries. The reason the aformentioned accord was a gamechanger was the fact that the signatories were not doves but the parties with hawkish constituencies. The Muslim League here and the BJP there.
It is interesting how, this side of the border, the League has begun to take a greater interest in friendly relations with India, despite being wedded to the Kashmir issue in more than one way. The reason could be the fact that the party leadership is from the trading class. This lot would always seek out expansion of trade and commerce. And the brighter amongst them would also see that there is no need, really, to feel threatened by Indian imports. That, even if there is much restructuring of the economy, in the longer run, the equilibrium status would be better for both economies, collectively and individually. It would also do us well to realise that the consumers on either side, ever complaining about galloping inflation, would benefit in the end. The mantra of hate is a harder sell when it is too costly to adhere to.
