People's Democracy

Editorial

CARRY FORWARD INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS

As we go to press, the visit of India�s External Affairs minister to Pakistan concludes with the Indian assessment that the new Pakistani political leadership conveyed a �strong commitment� to carry forward the peace process for the full normalisation of bilateral relations. This is the first official visit by the Indian Foreign minister after the recent general elections and restoration of a democratic order in Pakistan.

India declared that it is approaching this fourth round of the Composite Dialogue that began in 2004, �in a spirit of cooperation, trust and pragmatism. This is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence and threat of it.�

After the UPA government was formed in 2004, the process of this Composite Dialogue had begun with the aim of improving relations centering around the following eight points: (i) peace and security including confidence building measures (CBMs); (ii) Jammu and Kashmir; (iii) Siachen; (iv) Sir Creek; (v) Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation project; (vi) terrorism and drugs trafficking; (vii) economic and commercial cooperation; and (viii) promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields.

This ministerial review of the fourth round of the Composite Dialogue process between Pranab Mukherjee and his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, will lay the basis for a future prime ministerial level summit meeting. It is hoped that significant agreements will be signed on this occasion signaling a forward movement on all these eight issues being discussed.

The foreign secretaries of both the countries reviewed the previous round of talks. The Indian foreign secretary has said that, �What has emerged very clearly is that both sides have the will and the determination to carry forward the process of improving bilateral relations to move towards full normalisation as rapidly as possible.�

Apart from meetings with the Pakistani Foreign minister, Pranab Mukherjee met president Musharraf, prime minister Gillani, Pakistan People�s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistani Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif and Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan.

During these meetings, India congratulated the people of Pakistan for the �successful conduct of the general elections. The present environment, �.will help in addressing various issues related to peace, stability and economic development�.

Indeed, an appreciable improvement in good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan will not only bring relief of peace and stability to crores of people on either side of border but will greatly contribute to peace and stability in South Asia. This will have its positive impact at the global level as well.

US president George Bush, as he prepares to demit office for good, has made it his habit to make comments in order to remain in the picture everywhere in the world. During the course of this Foreign ministerial level talks between India and Pakistan, Bush has made an unsolicited comment that the time was right for a solution of the Kashmir issue. Pakistani People�s Party leader Zardari in a loaded comment said, �It is a very good omen to have the world with you�. India had all along maintained, and rightly continues to do so, that the resolution of the Kashmir issue is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. There is neither any need nor any requirement for any third party, least of all US imperialism, to intervene or be associated with this resolution process. It is in the interests of both the countries and its people that this be adhered to steadfastly.

On all issues under discussion on the eight points noted above � ranging from prisoners on either side, new confidence building measures including increase in frequency of bus services and bilateral trade, more meetings of the anti-terror mechanism set-up last year etc � the Indian Foreign secretary said that both the countries were �very close on several agreements�. As stated above, the ground is being prepared for a future prime ministerial level summit. This was confirmed by the Foreign secretary who summarised the discussions in the current visit by stating, �What we will be doing is to bring them (issues under discussion) to a stage where they are ready for agreement�. The two sides also discussed the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline and its importance for the economies of the two countries.

The tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto, amongst the many other things, was also an effort to derail the process of a democratic restoration in Pakistan. Through these columns, while noting this, we had hoped that these designs will be foiled. The successful holding of elections in Pakistan need to be consolidated to strengthen the democratic structures in Pakistan in order to carry forward this process. Recalling this tragic event, Pranab Mukherjee said, �Her loss is a fresh wound. Not just Pakistan, but our entire region has lost a charismatic leader of great promise, foresight and capability. For the sake of our collective futures, we must work together to combat the menace of terrorism. That would be a fitting tribute to Ms. Bhutto�s memory and her legacy.�

This process of carrying forward the Composite Dialogue between India and Pakistan must be supported and strengthened by all those who cherish peace, stability and good neighbourly relations.