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| Let Pak reciprocate India's gestures | | | Now that India's foreign secretary, S.
Jaishankar, and the Pakistani foreign sec
retary, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhury, had a detailed meeting in Islamabad it may reopen the channels of bilateral dialogue process.In fact since August last talks between the two sides had been suspended after New Delhi called off the foreign secretary level talks,which were scheduled to be held in Islamabad,in protest against Pakistan High Commissioner,Abdul Basit's,invitation to Kashmir separatists for talks and that too when India had suggested to him that he should not hold any dialogue with the separatists.Well the stage had already been set for the talks been the two sides and Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd.Sayeed,seems to have contributed to the hasteningof the dialogue process after he insisted that reopening of talks with Islamabad and Kashmiri separatists should become part of the Common Minimum Programme. And if the Mufti wishes to take credit for having broken the ice leading to New Delhi agreeing to send Foreign secretary to SAARC capitals for renewing cordial ties. Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who met his Pakistani counterpart Aijaz Ahmed Chaudhury for talks in Islamabad described the engagement was held in a "constructive and positive atmosphere", with a "determination to forge a cooperative relationship with Pakistan". This is the first such meeting since 2012, and seven months after the last planned foreign secretary talks were cancelled by India. Jaishankar, who is on a visit to SAARC capitals, also called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and his foreign affairs advisors Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatemi during the day. Jaishankar said that he and Chaudhury had discussed bilateral relations apart from the SAARC summit to be held in Pakistan next year. During the talks India raised its concerns on terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, as well as the pace of the trial against its commanders in Pakistan for the Mumbai 26/11 attacks. "I reiterated our known concerns on cross border terrorism, including on the Mumbai case." Adding, "We agreed that ensuring peace and tranquillity on the border was vital."The ceasefire violations at Line of Control (LoC) and international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir was a key point of the talks, even as the two sides discussed enhancing trade and connectivity in the subcontinent. According to a government reply in parliament, Pakistan's ceasefire violations numbered more than 685 times in the past eight months, claiming 24 lives. Pakistan has also accused India of "unprovoked and indiscriminate" firing during the same period, and claims Indian troops have killed several civilians as well as troops along the border. India hopes this visit would prove, at best, an "ice-breaker" for Jaishankar, who is visiting Pakistan for the first time. "We engaged on each other's concerns and interests in an open manner. We agreed to work together to find common ground and narrow differences," . Jaishankar has said. Well India has made yet another beginning.It now depends on Islamabad as to how it will reciprocate New Delhi's gestures. .Over the years, especially since 2008 Mumbai carnage,New Delhi has shown magnanimity by reopening channels of dialogue at one time or the other but what is disturbing is that Islamabad has not reciprocated New Delhi's sincerity in resolving various bilateral issues. For resolving various bilateral issues Pakistan needs to be flexible.However,till date it has remained obsessed with Kashmir issue and that has been the main hurdle in carrying talks to a logical conclusion.Besides this Islamabad and its agencies,state and non-state actors,have been using the soil of Pakistan for exporting terror to India. And Islamabad should realize the change of guard in New Delhi where the BJP has won decisive mandate from the people of India for heading the Government.And Modi has,on many occasions, conveyed to Islamabad that terror and talks cannot go together.Now that India has made a fresh beginning it depends on Pakistan to recip[rocate it.Pakistan has not to initiate any extra measures.It has simply to stop ceasefire violations and needs to tell the Army and the ISI to stop assisting militants in crossing into Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to this let Islamabad order closing of arms training camps for terrorists.Once these steps are taken New Delhi is willing to move a mile ahead of Pakistan for promoting cordial ties.And it is hoped that Mufti Mohd.Sayeed will be able to use his influence for motivating separatists and Islamabad for ensuring peace in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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