Democracies don’t fight – that’s the lesson Europeans learnt from the horrors of the World War II, and since then have assiduously worked to strengthen the democratic institutions. If that kind of realisation is going to underscore Pak-India bilateralism in the wake of recent unfavourable incidents along the dividing Line of Control in Kashmir, it appears to be a possibility. Following the deaths of Indian soldiers on the Line of Control in Kashmir and resultant hostile reaction in India, Pakistan choose to avoid traditional way of reacting to such accusations.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reached out to New Delhi saying, Let us sit together to resolve all outstanding issues in a friendly manner. Equally heart warming was the President Pranab Mukherjees message to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari on the eve of Pakistans Independence day. President Mukherjee reiterated Indias commitment of building a “friendly and cooperative” relationship with Islamabad. These reconciliatory messages were exchanged despite efforts by a section of powerful corporate media and right wing parties on both sides to whip up war hysteria this time over not so unusual incidents on LOC.
Though there is a qualitative difference from the recent past, given the track record of Nawaz Sharif’s consistent approach towards relationship with India, New Delhi too appears to be willing to move forward.
The fact is that India has preferred to deal with democratic governments in Pakistan. Two of the significantly pro-Pakistan developments in Pak-India bilateralism, Simla Agreement and Vajpayee’s Lahore visit, took place during the democratic governments in Pakistan. During his election campaign he promised to revive the Pak-India peace process, which soared high during his second term. Atal Behari Vajpayee travelled to Lahore on the inaugural run of the Delhi-Lahore bus service and went up to the Minar-i-Pakistan firmly stamping the authenticity of the two-nation theory. But soon enough there was the Kargil skirmish, which Nawaz Sharif claimed was General Musharraf’s brainchild to discredit the democratic government and grab power. No wonder with Nawaz Sharif back at the helm, prime minister Manmohan Singh looks forward to working with his government ‘to chart a new course and pursue a new destiny’ in the relations between the two countries.
This may explain why despite provocations on the LOC and resultant jingoistic noises from BJP and other radical forces in the country UPA government adopted a more pragmatic approach towards the situation.
In a televised address on the eve of Pakistan’s independence day, Sharif sought to address the Indian audience saying, “Let us make a new beginning. Let us sit together to resolve all outstanding issues in a friendly manner and in a peaceful atmosphere.”. “We must become good friends. Hold each other’s hands. We must sit together with a open and clean heart,” said Sharif.
President Mukherjee struck a more reconciliatory note in his message to Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari. “India is committed to building a friendly and cooperative relationship with Pakistan that leads to peace and prosperity in the region”, President Mukherjee said while greeting the Pakistan government and people on their Independence Day. He went on, “I take this opportunity to reiterate India’s commitment to building a friendly and cooperative relationship with Pakistan that leads to peace in our region and progress and prosperity of our peoples.”
A whole lot of contentious issues bedevil the India-Pak relationship, but they all are amenable to solutions. Their solutions being held hostage to the Kashmir dispute a move forward on this would certainly have a salutary effect on them. And for this to happen New Delhi has to play ball that is now squarely placed in its court.
President Mukherjees and Prime Minister Sharif’s words can not be merely a diplomatic formality given the fact they came amid special circumstances. Let both sides clothe their warm greetings with a practical follow-up by taking necessary steps to ease tension along the Line of Control thus paving the way for resolving long pending issues. like Kashmir.
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