It is true that Muslims and Hindus were living together in harmony for thousands of years and the British are to be blamed for this relatively recent rift between them. Ever since the inception of these two nations – the relations between Pakistan and India have always been tumultuous and Topsy-Turvy. Out of all the issues, Kashmir dispute is the most critical one, due to which they have been unable to progress on other resolutions including water dispute and maritime issues. Including these problems, trade, sports activities and tourism are affected as well, which are the chief exponent of normalisation in any beleaguered relations between different nations. Once again both countries are standing on the brink of a disaster if either side so much as take the hostilities to the level of wartime animosities. There is always a way forward to progress or prosperity, or there can be regression to time-tested unproductive mutual hatred.
The strategic geographical location and peaceful relations between Pakistan and India are crucial for the stability and prosperity of the region. It is a matter of vital importance to the global community and the world as a whole. History has proved that war, even if it is fought for 100 years, has to end somewhere. War destroys its own children. We have examples (of Germany and France, of North and South Vietnam, of US and Japan, etc.) in front of us in which various nations fought with each other and finally decided, after a long history of bloodshed and destruction, to put aside animosity and join hands for the greater good of their people and country.
Defence budget gets the lion’s share in both India and Pakistan, whereas the same money can be invested in human development and in eradicating poverty from its very roots of pervading degeneracy in our societies. Moreover, the nuclear proliferation of both countries has served to elevate tensions significantly. And for that, Pakistan and India need to understand that war will lead us nowhere but carnage and self-destruction.
We must move the conversation towards resolving the issues that plague us both. Firsts and foremost is to open constructive dialogues and ensure both nations refrain from defaming and one-upping each other. The last successful peaceful dialogues happened between India and Pakistan over a decade ago (Composite Dialogue 2004), the continuation of which is required imperatively by all means. Heads and foreign ministers should restart meeting each other, to begin with, the rudimentary normalisation measure.
Second, sports, a good middle ground for an overture or breaking the ice, should be initiated as soon as possible and friendly matches are the way to kick-start, even at a neutral venue to begin with, such as UAE.
Third, Cultural Exchange Program should be used as a tool to eradicate misconceptions between the people of both countries. For the said purpose, exchange students of educational institutions like South Asia University will experience the culture and traditions of their respective host countries first hand, and, upon their return to their own countries, they will share their learning with other people. Hence, this will contribute to strengthening the cross-border public affection. The practicality of this program can be witnessed through the success of similar programs implemented by other countries, like Youth Exchange & Study Program of United States of America. After 9/11, the United States of America has been inviting exchange students from Muslim-majority countries to spend a year in the country where the students study in US High School and live with host families. This program has immensely contributed in decreasing the hatred for the United States among people of other countries, specifically in the mindsets of the youth who serve as these exchange students.
Fourth, cross-border arts and cultural conferences and competitions can work wonders in improving India-Pakistan ties. The introduction of new cross-border arts and cultural conferences and competitions, and promotion of the existing ones, like Pakistani theatre company Ajoka’s play presentation in India in recent memory, can help convert antagonistic feelings into friendly and cordial relations. Such activities encourage the masses of the two countries to cherish and appreciate their similar culture and rich history.
Fifth, for a decade or more, the media of both countries have contributed to an escalation of tensions, castigating each other overtly in talk shows. Media channels exaggerate unpleasant statements sporadically given by politicians from both countries. These verbal exchanges and public unrest further deteriorate trust-building measurements. To recommence cordial bilateral dialogues, media of both countries have to halt hate speech, contentious talk shows and controversial statements on all accounts.
Sixth, trade has the potential to galvanise the Pakistan-India dialogue by creating powerful stakeholders and incentives for peace. Accordingly, it is necessary for the governments to unlock the barriers and ensure mutually advantageous trade.
Seventh, since SAARC conference is going to be held in Pakistan this year, this is a very good platform to discuss regional economic issues, particularly the grave situation of Pakistan-India dialogue process. India is perceived as the shark in SAARC; the bully in the region due to its contentious relations with other neighbours like Nepal and Bhutan. It is necessary to increase mobility and effectiveness of SAARC to mimic the structure and cooperation of the European Union and create a free trade zone in the region to boost economic prosperity.
Eighth, as a preemptive measure, both sides should reinforce the existing mechanism of a direct hotline between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs). To build trust, the two sides should harvest low hanging fruits and first target simpler issues, for example, the Sir Creek dispute, which many participants on both sides believed was close to a resolution. It is highly likely that successful resolution of this matter (which is relatively easy to reach) will translate into further positivity between the two countries.
Ninth, both countries should deal strictly with non-state actors to definitively halt the spread of terrorism in each other’s countries.
Finally, for the Kashmir region, Kashmiri politicians on both sides need to refrain from hateful rhetoric. They should be realistic in their approach to resolving the issue by developing an understanding that is independent of India and Pakistan’s interests.
This includes honest reporting with equal space and time for all opinions to the conflict, not just jingoistic and hyper-nationalistic assertions. Moreover, the media should question their own governments and the military and take extreme care not to push fabricated narratives aimed at driving India and Pakistan away from their common history and prosperous, pluralist future.
In 1984, Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed between China and Britain and agreed to make Hong Kong autonomous for 50 years as a special administrative region so that they be able to retain its free-market economy, independent representation in international organisations such as WTO and WHO and create treaty arrangements and policy making.
The state of Jammu Kashmir should also be given autonomy for 20 to 30 years, following which a referendum should be held to give them the right to decide whether they choose to be with Pakistan, India or secede from both and remain independent.
This is the need of the hour that both countries need to stop pulling each other’s legs, sit together and resolve the issues for the betterment of their people as well as for the stability of the region.