News
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Cameron’s visit opens new vistas of trade, security cooperation
By Wajid Shamsul Hasan
Prime Minister David Cameron’s recent visit to Pakistan has reinforced the stable and mutually beneficial relationship enjoyed by the two countries. His pronouncement that “Pakistan-UK relationships are unbreakable” echoed the sentiments shared by both countries and was well received. With over a million diaspora and approximately 1.4 million visits annually between our people, the relationship is indeed multifaceted and well rooted.
This was the first visit of Cameron to Pakistan after becoming prime minister of the United Kingdom. He had earlier visited Pakistan in 2009 as the leader of the opposition. Prime Minister Cameron’s meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, further reinvigorated the strong relationship between the two countries. He also met with opposition leaders and coalition partners. A significant part of the visit was dedicated to public diplomacy whilst interacting with children and students – the future of Pakistan.
Prime Minster Cameron and Prime Minister Gilani signed a Declaration on Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD), which has set the tone of future relationship between the two countries. The two sides have agreed that the ESPD process will be actively driven forward by the two prime ministers who would meet annually while the foreign ministers of their countries will review the progress in the stipulated fields on bi-annual basis.
The dialogue will bring into its foray the whole remit of Pakistan-UK relations. One of the hallmarks of Pakistan-UK relations has been that both countries have worked together in all areas on international cooperation and have kept the dialogue open in all times, some of them being most difficult. The UK has shown commendable international leadership as it has always embraced its relations with Pakistan in a wholesome manner and not absolved itself of all else but a security relationship. Britain’s friendship for Pakistan is well respected by Pakistanis. Both countries find common ground on many international issues.
The ESPD will cover five areas of mutual cooperation. First, the two countries will focus on enhancing trade relationship and raise the present volume of trade in goods from present £1.20 billion to £2.50 billion by 2015. The two sides have also agreed to encourage the corporate sector of the two countries to foster economic stability and socio-economic development to ensure prosperity for future generations.
Prime Minister Cameron’s announcement of enhancing assistance in education sector up to £650 million to get over four million Pakistani children enrolled into schools, has been welcomed across the country. Enhanced academic exchange links and facilitation of Pakistani students proceeding to UK for higher education will further stimulate the friendship and understanding between the two countries. It was also acknowledged that our diaspora in Britain was positively contributing to strengthening the bilateral relationship and that cultural exchange between the two countries could further cement this relationship.
Cameron visited at a time when the coalition forces have entered a crucial phase in Afghanistan, whereby a drawdown would commence from July this year and that withdrawal of the British forces is likely to be completed by 2015. Both Britain and Pakistan have important stakes in the stability of Afghanistan as they believe in a durable political solution of the Afghan crisis, which should be driven and owned by the Afghans themselves.
The two countries have already forged close cooperation in neutralising extremist tendencies in both countries. This would entail de-radicalisation through education and socio-economic incentives. Certain practical steps would also follow to meet the challenges faced by extremism and terrorism in Pakistan. This will include dedicated cooperation, training and equipment. Prime Minister Cameron and Prime Minister Gilani and the leadership of the security agencies of both countries committed to address their shared national security challenges at the ESPD.
Although the stay of Prime Minister Cameron in Pakistan was reduced to one day due to British preoccupation in Libya, the visit has some solid tangibles for a new level of engagement between the two countries. Separately, it was amusing to note some caricature like revolt in the media regarding Cameron’s response to the press on a question regarding Kashmir, which is a dispute between Pakistan and India and awaits long standing resolution in accordance with the UN resolutions. Cameron’s acknowledgement has been an act of statesmanship, which would, in the long run, contribute to resolving this long-festering dispute and also contribute to bringing peace and stability in South Asia.
The writer is Pakistan’s high commissioner in London
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk