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| Kashmir 'inseparable' part of Pak policy | | NEWS ANALYSIS | | B L KAK
NEW DELHI: Are they sincere? Are they honest? Do they really want end of confrontation? New Delhi and Islamabad hurl these questions at each other, not on a regular basis, though.
This kind of ecercise brings to the fore two facts. First, the walls of suspicion, of doubts and of misgivngs have not collapsed. This, naturally and psychologically, make New Delhi and Islamabad confront each other with the question: Will you sincerely pursue the stated objective of normalising relations between the two sides?
Second, even as there is popular surge for normalisation, there is continuous confusion on Kashmir. And it would be incorrect and indiscreet to hold only Pakistan responsible for the continuing confusion. India,too, will have to share some blame in this regard.
At the same time, there is enough evidence--evidence provided by the top ruling leaders of Pakistan in recent weeks--making it clear that Islamabad is keen on seing the spotlights on Kashmir. In recent days, people in India and Pakistan have noticed some topmost politicans talking about 'give and take' in connection with the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
The 'give and take' talk requires tro be studied and analkysed and interpreted in the context of compulsions the ruling UPA of India and those of the Parvez Musharraf dispensation in Pakistan. The Musharraf dispensation is facing down the barrel of general elections in 2007. And Musharraf and his men cannot be faulted for their atempts to retain their image of being tough on India.
There is also evidence to suggest that the Congress party's cadres are insiting that any concessions to Pakistan now will involve serious costs in political economy. And it seems that the Manmohan Singh government's stand of 'no talks on future of Jammu and Kashmir without an end to terrorism' is a product of its politcal compulsions.
Pakistan has, in recent months, shown its inability to 'give' anything on Jammu and Kashmir. It has to be accepted that the political price for Parvez Musharraf, who is also Chief of Army Staff, on making any concessions on the Kashmir isue is even more than for the Congress party.
The 'Muslim factor' of the Kashmir issue seems to have become crucially important for Musharraf, particularly after he has had paid the price for his cooperation with the United States in operations against the Taliban and Al Qaeda fugitives in Pakistan.
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