Indo-Pak dialogue - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir

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Indo-Pak dialogue

Omkar Dattatray

10/26/2018 11:15:49 PM

It is better to talk than not to talk was not said by an impractical man. So talks are the better option between the two neighboring nuclear powers whose relations have nosedived ever since Pakistan trained terrorists have attacked Uri military base in September, 2016 killing 17 Indian soldiers and earlier Pathankot attack in January, 2016 on air force base killing 6 army men and all this is an enormous loss of precious human lives which can hardly be indemnified. India's policy that talks and terrorism cannot go together is an idealistic preposition. But in reality it is good that for the end of militancy and terrorism talks are the only and better alternative. Both the states of India and Pakistan have gained nothing from their acrimony instead much loss have accrued to both the countries in human and economic terms. Innocent people of India and Pakistan as well as the security forces of the respective countries got killed for no fault of theirs. Kashmir imbroglio cannot be solved by military means and methods. Kashmir is a political problem and needs political and diplomatic initiatives to solve it. Therefore, gun culture has no place and it should be abjured. Thus instead of militarily means the Kashmir impasse should be tackled through dialogue and negotiations within and without. Ever since the unfortunate division of the country, the Kashmir problem has been there. We have seen three full-fledged wars in 1947, 1965, 1971 and the Kargil misadventure of Pakistan in 1999 and now the proxy war unleashed by Pakistan but still Kashmir impasse continues. As such military means have no place in addressing the Kashmir issue and thus for the sake of peace, friendship and goodwill between the two neighboring countries earnest efforts should be made by both the parties to usher in an atmosphere of talks. Thus without beating the old track and rhetoric of talks and terror cannot go together, India should also take the initiative of holding parlays with its close neighbor to end the seventy year old impasse. So both India and Pakistan should shun their rigid and inflexible stand and with good intentions work towards initiating much needed and much overdue dialogue for the good of both the nations. The new cricketer turned politician and now the PM of Pakistan Imran Khan should see the futility of harping the Kashmir tune and should take positive steps for initiation of the stalled dialogue process because without talks and reconciliation the bilateral relations cannot be improved. Imran khan needs to match his words with deeds and should modify Pak Kashmir policy and show good intentions to start the dialogue process. India on its part should also leave the stubborn attitude and should show eagerness to initiate the much needed dialogue with the neighboring country to end the very complex problem which has put both the countries on tenterhooks and has caused enormous loss in terms of men, material, machinery and money. It has also derailed development process in both developing economies. Former Prime Minister A.B Vajaypayee had rightly said that friends can be changed but not the neighbors and thus had he embarked on his Lahore tour to address the complex issue confronting the two countries. Now NDA government headed by Modi should also follow the footprints of Vajapayee and initiate much delayed and much needed talks. There is no substitute for talks in the present day civilized and democratic world and therefore both the neighbors should take well meaning and well intentioned steps to start the dialogue process to end mayhem, bloodshed and to save the two countries from wasting precious money on higher defense budgets which has affected both nations economic development. Therefore, it is good for both the nuclear nations to embark on the process of initiating dialogue without wasting any further time. India as well as Pakistan should come to a negotiating table and they should desist from issuing muscular statements for their mutual good and amity. The mistrust, trust deficit and suspicion between the two countries has caused immense loss to both the nations and now they should forget the past acrimony and bitterness and take earnest and honest steps to initiate dialogue which is the best tonic and the only possible alternative to solve the long standing problem which is the bone of contention between the two countries. Therefore the countries concerned should shun the beaten track and their rigid stands and show eagerness to initiate the much needed talks, otherwise future generations will curse us for being stubborn and insensitive to their interests. It follows that without wasting much time both the nations should take steps and initiate dialogue and follow confidence building measures to usher in the atmosphere of trust, goodwill, and amity. At the same time, Pakistan should take steps for making congenial atmosphere for talks and should not allow its soil to be used for militant activities. It should give break to sponsoring of terrorism and sending armed insurgents to Kashmir and not resort to ceasefire violations on LOC and international border. So, if Pak Prime Minister Imram Khan really wants dialogue with India, he should take practical steps in this direction and end Pak's official policy of sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir in the guise of giving moral support to the so called freedom fighters of Kashmir. But at the same time, Indian government should shed its rigid stand and come to negotiating table to end the mayhem and Kashmir impasse. Government of India must also start dialogue with separatists within the constitution of India as political problems needs to be addressed and fought through political means and methods. Thus, dialogue within and without should be initiated to end the seventy year old Kashmir imbroglio.

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