The violence on the Line of Control (LoC) has perceptibly come down. And almost unnoticed, the conversations between India and Pakistan have increased.
Despite elections being round the corner in India, the buzz has returned to the government that the prime minister might take a final stab at visiting the only neighbouring country he has ever wanted to go to. What would it take for Manmohan Singh to be able to go to Pakistan?
High-level sources said the laundry list of actions included significant reduction of violence on the LoC, determined forward movement on the 26/11 case and a decision on most favoured nation (MFN) status by Pakistan, Times of India in a report said on Monday.
Although DGMOs have not met, as the two prime ministers intended, since the decision in late September, the violence on the LoC has reduced somewhat. Some of it is explained by the coming of winter, which makes the passes difficult to negotiate. But sources said the violence was deliberate, and its absence is equally deliberate.
In the past, India has flirted with the talks-in spite-of-terrorism option. But this year, India linked normalisation of ties with Pakistan to peace and tranquillity on the LoC. It’s too soon to ascribe the reduction to diplomatic pressure, but something is clearly working. According to the newspaper an official said, “We don’t want to jump the gun, because there could be violence tomorrow.”
Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid, who has evolved into becoming a proactive diplomat, has quietly pushed the envelope with Pakistan. In Colombo, Khurshid met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of CHOGM, a meeting that was not flagged by the Indian government.
The Pakistani media, which was briefed, described it as “positive”. On November 12, Khurshid held a meeting with Sartaj Aziz on the sidelines of ASEM, where he emphasised the importance of respecting Indian sensitivities and keeping the border quiet. Khurshid also said India had done everything possible to move the 26/11 case forward. Pakistan would now have to prosecute top LeT leaders like Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and bring closure.
On Saturday, Singh met Salman Bashir, the departing Pakistani envoy, in a farewell meeting. “It is unusual for the PM to meet departing envoys,” said G Parthasarathy, former high commissioner to Pakistan.
For the Nawaz government in Islamabad, a visit by the Indian PM would be an unexpected bonus. On the other hand, Pakistani leaders have been quoted as saying they would rather decide on things like MFN when the next government in India takes office.
In India, the Congress party, heading into elections, has dished out tougher rhetoric on Pakistan than ever before. Its unclear it would be comfortable with a PM visit to Pakistan, particularly if there is a risk of a terror attack.
The risks are offset by the PM’s own interest in normalizing relations with Pakistan, quite apart from a personal interest in seeing the village where he was born.
The government has dangled a further carrot on trade to Pakistan. Last week, Arvind Mehta, senior official in the Commerce Ministry, said, “If Pakistan grants non-discriminatory access to India, we will provide a reciprocal market access to Pakistan at a 0-5 percent duty rate, similar to what is being given to Bangladesh.”
Nonews is better than this ,India has started thinking right way to normalize the LOC position
and Idian has given a thought to visit his birthplace Pakistan in Last period of his tenure.Better than never.I Hope his arrivals to Pakistan bear sweet fruit for both countries
What India stands to gain ? Talks are another form of terrorism for these Pakistanis. What kind of talks are to be held with an irresponsible, untrustworthy country with a broke economy and proven track record of terrorism export ? What is the fate of previous engagements ? In 1972 India-Pakistan signed Shimla agreement to solve issues bilaterally but Pakistan continues to internationalize bilateral issues, in 1998 two countries signed Lahore decalaration following by Pakistan army intruding into Kargil, Pakistan attacked Mumbai when composite dialogue was going on and promised to bring to justice the masterminds (so called non-state actors) to justice. When the sham trial in a Kangaroo court will do justice ? Under trade agreement while India accorded MFN to Pakistan but they have not..why ? So first let Pakistan Govt fulfill the promises it made in previous engagements before holding next round. We must talk but first behave like a country.
It seems you are inordinate admirer of India
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