India and Pakistan have been playing hot and cold for about past one and half year over the resumption of composite dialogue.  Since 2004, the two countries were engaged in composite dialogue for the resolution of all their outstanding issues including that of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite slow pace there was a significant improvement in the relations of the two countries. In addition to some confidence building measures (CBMs) on Kashmir some major achievements were: restoration of communication and trade between the two countries, increase and improvement in people to people contacts, and rebuilding of trust amongst the people. The composite dialogue held a promise for resolving all disputes between the two countries till it was brought to a grinding halt in the wake of terrorist attack in India’s commercial capital, Mumbai, killing more than hundred and sixty people, including some foreign nationals. Seen in right perspective, stalling of the composite dialogue in the wake of Mumbai attack was only pandering to the populist mood. The terrorists, whosoever they be, ostensibly were interested in souring the relations between the two countries that were showing considerable improvement. Terrorists fatten on uncertainties and rivalries between countries and nations. It is peace that works as an antidote to this campaign of hate. The harsh reality is that the dialogue is the only way out for resolving the disputes between the two countries. The leaders in the two countries fully well understand that procrastination has not paid in the past and it is not going to bring any dividends in future also. Some hopes for resumption of the composite dialogue had brightened after Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers had met in Sharam El Sheikh.  It was the hyper-reaction in the two capitals to the joint statement that dampened the initiative. Once again atmosphere turned hopeful when Foreign Secretaries met in New Delhi last month; but it proved to be a nonstarter. It failed to break the diplomatic ice.   In reality the Delhi talks, as very rightly a former Pakistan diplomat described, ‘did not even live up to modest expectations of improving the tenor of the bilateral engagement.’
The hectoring tones on either side are not going to help. The two countries instead of sticking to their guns need to be accommodative to each other’s point of view. On Wednesday in Washington Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao ruled out resumption of composite dialogue with Pakistan. Talking to some participants at Woodrow Wilson Centre she sounded harsher than expected in warning Pakistan that India’s restraint should not be confused with her weaknesses. India’s concerns are not uncalled for but it goes without saying that Pakistan is in the grip of terrorism, with suicide bombers at an average killing about a dozen of innocents daily. New Delhi has been blaming Pakistan for inaction against “the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks” and Pakistan has blamed India of having a hand in the recent terrorist attacks in Lahore. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi blamed New Delhi of fomenting trouble in Balochistan. He also asserted that proofs about India’s involvement had been sent to New Delhi through diplomatic channels. It seems that the two countries are engaged in blame game scoring points over each other on the diplomatic front. The diplomats in the two countries need to move beyond this and work for narrowing down the differences, building common ground for resumption of dialogue. Neither the no-talk stance nor the ‘measured contacts’ are going to help. True, the Secretary level talks at New Delhi did little to set a thaw in the relations between the two countries but that should not be discouraging.  There is need for initiating frequent meetings at official levels for setting the stage for resumption of structured dialogue at the highest level. The Coming SARRAC meeting in Bhutan is yet another opportunity for Indian and Pakistani leaders to get started. ‘The resumption of full-fledged, broad based talks is a trump card’ for resolving even the complex and intricate problems that have been denying development and peace to teeming millions in the sub-continent.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST