People's Democracy

EDITORIAL

Carry The Dialogue Forward

THE meeting of the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan in New Delhi on June 27 and 28 marked the resumption of the dialogue process between the two countries. This follows the joint statement issued in Islamabad during the visit of former prime minister Vajpayee during the SAARC summit. The foreign secretaries discussed peace and security, including confidence building measures and Jammu & Kashmir. The joint statement issued at the conclusion of the talks shows that some progress has been made in confidence building measures which were decided earlier at the expert level meeting. These include the pre-notification of flight testing of missiles.  A real advance towards peace and security would require not just these measures but a decision by both countries not to go in for the deployment of nuclear weapons. Any such deployment would heighten risks and vitiate all other measures being taken for better communication and to prevent misunderstanding. It will also be necessary to go towards reduction in the size of armed forces deployed on the borders. A similar step on the line of control can also be considered if Pakistan takes serious steps to prevent infiltration across the border by terrorist groups.

It is encouraging that the joint statement reiterates that all bilateral issues, including Jammu & Kashmir, will be peacefully settled through dialogue to the satisfaction of both sides. On Jammu & Kashmir in particular, the statement committed both sides “to continue the sustained and serious dialogue to find a peaceful negotiated final settlement.” While this process will take time, steps can be taken to establish people to people contacts across the line of control in Jammu & Kashmir.  A major obstacle to this is the continuing terrorist attacks within Jammu & Kashmir. Both sides should make a serious effort to see that the people on both sides are allowed to interact with each other.

The foreign secretaries will be meeting again in the third week of July and the first half of August to take up the remaining six subjects of the composite dialogue. They concern Siachen, Wullar barrage, Sir Creek, terrorism and drug trafficking, economic and commercial cooperation, and promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields. These meetings will lead up to the meeting of the foreign ministers of both countries. The bilateral dialogue is now being pursued by the new government headed by Dr Manmohan Singh. This, in itself, is a confirmation that it is in the interests of both countries to go through the entire course of negotiations, however prolonged and difficult they may be. The change of the prime minister in Pakistan should not have any effect on this process just as the change-over in India has not signalled any interruption. 

The Manmohan Singh government has accorded importance to improving and strengthening relations with India’s neighbours in South Asia. Indo-Pakistan relations should have the priority in this context. At the same time, it is a good augury that India and China have jointly observed the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence. Steadily overcoming the problems with Pakistan and strengthening relations with China will be the key to India playing a significant role in promoting peace and cooperation in South Asia, Asia and the international scene.