National 10 (Spotlight Weekly)

A Move to Indo-Pak Dialogue

By Major General Jamshed Ayaz Khan (R)
President Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad.

It was on 23rd of May that while giving an interview to daily 'The News', I had said that it is important that we improve the atmosphere before the Indo Pakistan dialogue commences so that during the process of the dialogue, there are no tensions. Keeping this in view, the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad organized a Seminar for the countries of South Asia on the 26th and 27th May at Holiday Inn, Islamabad.

In this Seminar, in order to make sure that there is no sabre-rattling and fire-works, we decided that participants of each country should speak about their own 'Domestic Policy Challenges and Prospects'. Due to this factor alone, the Seminar was very well received by the participants, (which included 8 from India, 3 from Bangladesh, 2 from Sri Lanka, 1 from Nepal and 9 from Pakistan) as well as by the audience, who really appreciated the contents, the substance and the level of Papers read in the Seminar, besides the organization itself. It was a pleasant surprise to see how well the people of Islamabad responded to this step, leading to improvement in the atmosphere between India and Pakistan.

The Seminar is over and now the other preparations for Indo-Pakistan dialogue have to be laid out. The fore-most question is how should it all start? The first thing is that we should stop doubting the intentions of the other party - we should not try to see any hidden motive in this Vajpayee initiative. We hope that the initiative launched by Mr Vajpayee at the age of 78 is to bring about a positive change in people of South Asia.

We, therefore, must respond positively, and try to show accommodation. We should also realize that there is no other option for South Asia but to move towards Indo- Pakistan dialogue and ultimate settlement of our disputes. This is the only way, to reduce poverty in this area and bring some relief to 20% of the population which lives in this part of the world. The tension in South Asia is because of India and Pakistan (and of course those people who created it in the first place). It is therefore, for these two countries i.e. India and Pakistan to solve this problem. Besides our two countries it will also benefit the other countries of South Asia, who keenly look forward to India and Pakistan to settle their problems. There would of course be elements both in India and Pakistan as well as outside (arm manufacturers, for one) who would try that status quo remains but we have to find ways to get round it.

The important thing is that we have to involve all our people, all groups (the Intellectuals, Scholars, Journalists, Parliamentarians, Kashmiris, the Armed Forces) and above all, the people of Pakistan, only then the dialogue will be meaningful and the settlement of issues possible.

Before the dialogue starts there are some basic steps that we have to take. These are: -

As a policy there should be no anti Indian/anti Pakistani propaganda from Pakistan and India respectively. At the least the official media must implement this policy. This will go a long way to improve the atmosphere.

The diplomats should be back in position especially the High Commissioners and above all, there should be no more 'diplomat bashing'.

Movement between the countries is extremely important between the two countries, therefore the air flights, the bus and the train service should resume forthwith.

We should be a bit more liberal in our visa policy so that people to people contact improves. The participants of our Seminar especially those from India, who had not visited Pakistan before were extremely happy to see that Pakistanis are also a 'Civilized' lot of people.

We should straight away start the sports and cultural activities between the two countries. We must be sure that the so-called cultural invasion from India will not succeed.

We have to try to get SAARC back on rails, as it can become a very potent organization for the rights of South Asians.

As far as dialogue is concerned we should not try to move too fast - we have to do our home work/complete preparations in every field. This is essential and hopefully have started. In our discussions all aspects have to be discussed including the core issue of Kashmir. Aspects what India calls ìCross Border Terrorismî should also be discussed. The talks have to be comprehensive and we should be prepared if progress on each point is not uniform. Some points may find a solution in the first meeting of the experts, others points may take longer. The heads i.e.(the Prime Ministers) should meet only when ground has been prepared. The talks have to initially start from the 'stated' position of each country and conclude on each point through the process of give and take and in this both countries will have to show flexibility as well as accommodation.

It is understood that progress may be slow but it is also important that now the momentum is maintained. This time the right signals have been given, the President, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, along with the Foreign Office, the Parliamentarians, the Armed Forces, Intellectuals/Scholars, Journalists and above all the people of Pakistan are one and that is a wonderful sign. We wish that the vision of the leaders of two countries and the diplomatic ability of the Foreign office will this time bring this problem to an end and the generations to follow will live in peace and prosperity in South Asia where sovereignty and ideology of all countries is respected by other countries of the Region. Mr Vajpayee, being a seasoned politician as he is, has to rise to the occasion so that all elements in India follow him in his peace initiative. India is a big country and any positive move by India would surely be welcomed by smaller countries of South Asia who presently feel that India wants to dominate them merely to show its weight and size. India, besides thinking of building Inter continental Ballistic Missiles, Satellites and what not, has to think of those people of India who live below the poverty line, have no drinking water, are illiterate, sleep the whole life on footpaths/side roads etc. I am sure that Mr Vajpayee, the seasoned politician that he is understands this better than us. We will welcome any move that he takes to fight such common 'enemy'.