No return to square one, please
The recent incidents on the LoC must not be allowed to derail the peace initiative. Governments and the civil society on both sides have worked hard to normalise the relations after these nosedived in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008. The friends of Pakistan and India who were concerned over the rise in tension between the nuclear neighbours played a significant role in bringing the two sides back to the negotiating table. If the efforts that led to normalisation are allowed to go down the drain, the two countries would lose the immense opportunities offered by peace and cooperation.
The revival of talks led to important developments. Pakistan opened up business opportunities in an estimated 6,850 commodities against 1,900-odd items traded before. India formally allowed Pakistanis to invest in its market. Wagah-Attari integrated check post was opened for traffic and talks were expected to be initiated to establish a similar facility on Husseiniwala-Sialkot border point. Trade was supposed to place peace process on a fast track. The moves were widely hailed by the business community in the two countries. The talks were also supported by all mainstream parties in Pakistan. Despite strong differences with the PPP administration, Nawaz Sharif hailed the policy of normalisation and expansion of trade with India while Imran Khan advocated a negotiated settlement of disputes and ruled out any military solution of the Kashmir issue. With Gen Kayani underlining the importance of peaceful coexistence between the two neighbours, it was widely understood that all stakeholders in the country supported the peace moves. Complaints emerged, meanwhile, from Pakistan regarding the Indian Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) that blocked important Pakistani exports including cement. The Indian government, on the other hand, complained that the speed to bring the suspects in Mumbai attacks to justice was unsatisfactory. It was, however, widely understood that the complaints would be redressed in days to come.
The initial reaction from Indian foreign secretary to the incident on Tuesday was provocative and uncalled for. The changed tone on Wednesday indicates that the clarification by Pakistan’s DGMO and offer by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar for investigation through the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan has had a sobering effect. The border clashes have meanwhile caused worry to the world. On Monday, China advised both India and Pakistan to keep calm along the Line of Control expressing hope that both would resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiation. On Tuesday, Washington rendered a similar advice. There is a need on both sides to discourage confrontation on the LoC and to rethink whether aggressive patrolling is the best way to promote peace.
