Talks with India

A little give, a little take

It is in Pakistan’s supreme national interest to develop normal, working relations with India. Pakistan cannot feel secure with most of its neighbours at odds with it. Better relations with India are also needed to divert maximum resources for the social and economic uplift of the masses. Expansion of trade between the neigbours can curb inflation and create more jobs. While wars between the two countries have failed to resolve the issue of Kashmir, better relations between them can encourage the two sides to move towards a solution acceptable to all the three stakeholders – the Kashmiris, Pakistan and India. If a military ruler could reach an understanding with India on a four point quick fix, why can’t a civilian government hammer out with New Delhi a more satisfactory resolution of the core issue?

With people like Manohar Parrikar and Ajit Doval in the corridors of power there are no doubt problems in the way of improving relations with India. Whatever some of its leaders might publicly say New Delhi knows peace in the region is a must for a fast track economic development of the country. What is more there is pressure from the PDP led government in Indian occupied Kashmir to hold talks with Pakistan.  On Tuesday while holding a press conference with Secretary Kerry Sushma Swaraj once again reiterated that talks with Pakistan will happen only when it takes steps on the Pathankot terror attack.

Pakistan maintains it had nothing to do with the attack. Its joint investigating team should therefore complete the probe into the affair. As a reciprocal gesture Islamabad should facilitate the NIA team from India to visit Pakistan.  Pakistan government should meanwhile take measures to cleanse the country of terrorists of all hues and colours to remove the perception of cherry picking. This will hopefully encourage Afghanistan to co-operate in the eradication of TTP elements operating from its side of the Durand Line. The policy of zero tolerance for terrorist outfits alone can ensure peace and security in the region.