People's Democracy

The Indian invitation for summit level talks to Pakistan is a welcome development. For months now, those advocating direct talks with Pakistan were met with the standard answer from the Vajpayee government that unless cross-border terrorism stops, India would not talk to Pakistan. By now inviting his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Vajpayee has finally come down to the view that without direct talks, no easing of tensions is possible.

While talks are welcome, it is necessary to outline a strategy of what India would want to achieve. It is the absence of such a strategy that had, in the recent past, reduced the cease-fire in Kashmir to an objective in itself rather than a means to achieve a solution and lasting peace in the Valley. Unfortunately, confusion reigns supreme at the moment. General Musharraf has indicated that Kashmir is the "core" agenda while Vajpayee's letter talks of a "composite dialogue" and the Foreign Minister rules out any Kashmir specific agenda. India has never in the past, taken the position that it will not discuss Kashmir with Pakistan. In fact, since the Shimla Agreement, India has always emphasised that any talks with Pakistan will have to be based on this Agreement. It is imperative that India sets out concrete agenda for this summit as well as its stand on contentious issues.

Any solution to the Kashmir problem, however, will have to be based on implementing promises made to the people of Kashmir regarding autonomy and Article 370. On both these issues, the ruling BJP and the Vajpayee government have views contrary to what has been promised to the people of Kashmir. Unless the Vajpayee government is clear that it is moving towards upholding the promises made to the Kashmir people, the necessary confidence required to restore normalcy will not be generated. It must be remembered that late Sheikh Abdullah and a predominant Muslim population in Kashmir forced the reluctant Maharaja Hari Singh (who was steadfastly supported by the Praja Parishad, the name with which the RSS used to work in the princely state) who was seeking an independent status for Kashmir, to sign the accession to India. It is to such people and their progeny who chose to remain with India that promises have to be kept.

In the interests of restoring friendly and good neighbourly relations and easing tensions with Pakistan, the Vajpayee government should immediately spell out its strategy for the forthcoming talks and consult the opposition on this score. The people of India and Pakistan have always yearned for an improvement of relations. These talks, it is hoped, will move in this direction.