EDITORIAL

J&K: Effort Must Follow Intent

AS WE go to press, the government of India has announced a series of significant steps directed at improving Indo-Pak relations.  Next round of talks on the resumption of civil aviation links and subsequent discussions on the resumption of rail links, resumption of sporting links including cricket and greater benefits to visa seekers have been announced by the external affairs minister.  These steps were taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting under the chairmanship of the prime minister.

Simultaneously, the same cabinet committee has decided to depute the deputy prime minister to hold talks with the Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir.  These developments, obviously, need to be seen together as a new package being announced for improving Indo-Pak relations as well as a movement forward concerning the Kashmir dispute. 

These steps, by themselves, are welcome.  We had, on many occasions, through these columns, held that the process of dialogue should never be closed.   Further more, discussions with the Kashmir organisations and representatives is important to start the political process while maintaining vigilance and guard in tackling the terrorist menace.

Much of these announcements are in the nature of declaration of intent.  Intent, however, is important and must be backed by sincere efforts towards fructification.

While these measures are welcome, obvious questions do arise regarding the government's approach.  Till recently, it was held that no dialogue with Pakistan is possible unless it stops support to cross-border terrorism. Both Vajpayee and Musharaff had the customary bout of mutual bashing at the UN General Assembly recently. L K Advani bemoaned, rather loudly, that the USA did not name Pakistan as a country harbouring terrorists.  There is a `blow hot' `blow cold' attitude regarding the prime minister's attendance in the forthcoming SAARC summit meeting due to what has been termed as Pakistani intransigence. Despite all this, such measures, as announced now, are most welcome. We can only hope that these would be sincerely implemented and the decisions have been taken not under any pressure from external sources.

As regards the talks with the Hurriyat, the past track record of this government has, to say the least, smacked of insincerity. First we had K C Pant as the interlocutor.  Then came Ram Jetmalani in his once official and later unofficial capacity.    Then we had Arun Jaitley. Only recently, N N Vohra had been asked to discharge this task.  Even before he could begin his work has come the cabinet decision to now appoint Advani.

What has happened to the earlier efforts?  The country and the Parliament  are completely unaware.  K C Pant at least went through the process of meeting the leaders of national political parties.  The later interlocutors did not even do that!  How Advani will proceed and what would be the agenda is yet to be told.  We are informed that this would be decided after the  Diwali festivities. Wait, the country and people will.

What is required is both sincerity and transparency shorn of rhetoric.  We only hope the government will sincerely proceed with these initiatives.