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| US wants India & Pak to settle bilateral issues | | | More than Delhi and Islamabad it is Washington that seems to evince hope on the upcoming Foreign ministry level talks between India and Pakistan.In fact Washington has made it clear its stand on the ensusing talks when it said that the two sides need to move fast.It wants Delhi and Islamabad to settle bilateral problems,including that of Kashmir.What is interesting is Washington's latest statement indicating its eagerness to see Delhi and Islamabad pick up the thread that they had left between 2004 and 2007 when the two sides,for the first time,were nearing a solution. Reports said that the two sides,after detailed discussion,were on the verge of signing an agreement.What could be the basis of this agreement?There are a number of versions but it is believed that Gen.Parvez Musharraf's four-point proposal on Kashmir could have been the basis of the agreement.Though Delhi had rejected the four-point proposal mooted by Gen.Parvez but it was not totally
unwilling to make a beginning with the modified proposal.Gen.Musharraf had mooted the idea of making the LOC irrelevant by ensuring hassle free trade and travel between the two sides,withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir,Joint management etc.Even the Hurriyat Conference leaders had supported Gen.Musharraf's four point proposal.But interestingly the Muzaffarabad based united Jehad Council,led by Syed Salahuddin,had opposed it saying that Musharraf had "diluted" the Kashmir issue. Even if Washington wants Delhi and Islamabad to initiate measures for resolving bilateral problems it,at the same time,wants Pakistan to ensure that it took steps for checking infiltrations of militants into Jammu and Kashmir and on punishing those who had masterminded Mumbai carnage.This is what Delhi has been demanding from Islamabad.No doubt Islamabad initiated tough military measures against the Talibans in areas bordering Afghanistan,simply to appease the US
Government,it did not take measures for checking export of terrorism from its soil to India.It did not even initiate action,legal or otherwise,against those who had been named by Delhi for having been involved in the Mumbai mayhem which had been responsible for the suspension of the composite dialogue.Since February last Delhi has demonstrated flexibility by inviting Pakistan Foreign secretary to hold talks with his counterpart.Though expectedly the talks did not set the stage for the resumption of the composite dialogue Delhi took the lead by agreeing to send its foreign Minister,S.M.Krishna, to Islamabad on July 15 for talks with his counterpart,Shah Mehmood Qureshi.Whether the two foreign ministers pick up the thread that had been left in 2004-2007 or devise some other methdology peoples' keen interest is in the rest oration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir.Though one cannot expect miracles from the Krishna-Qureshi talks one does hope that the two
sides agree to meet again and come to some settlement which was required for peace not only in Jammu and Kashmir for in the entire South Asian region.Indications are that the two sides may,even if they adopt divergent approach, not opt for abandining the process of dialogue becaus Washington has,of late,mounted pressure on both Delhi an Islamabad for resolving bilateral problems.In fact Washington is so keen to see the two sides getting close that it has suggested to Islamabad to settle other issues and keep the Kashmir problem under the carpet.Just a dose of added pressure from Washington could force Islamabad to give its obdurancy because Pakistan's economy banks on the quantum of military and non-military aid from Washington.
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