Feb 18 , 2016
News
Indo-Pak talks on hold but not over
By Wajid Shamsul HasanLate last year’s diplomatic flurry away from the eyes between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi that resulted in the surprise visit (Dec 25) of the later to Pakistan – a case of widely held masterly stroke of diplomacy – while it looked to be something out of the blue due to roller-coaster of-and-on nature of discussions that we have had, the announcement by Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swarj a date for resumption of dialogue under the different brand name of Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue was music to the ears.
A date was also announced for the first meeting of the foreign secretaries. Since it was too good to be true, sceptics had forecast that something untoward would surely happen to derail the much-hyped bilateral dialogue. And as the doomsayers predicted, Pathankot Indian Air Force Base attack killing nearly a dozen was staged by terrorists. It may have been planned earlier but its timing was surely a message that some forces did not like the resumption of dialogue.
In an atmosphere vitiated by suspicion who did it, the secretary-level talks for mid last month were put on hold. Despite some attempts to start a blame game, Indian leadership acted circumspectly and did not accuse Pakistan of having a hand in it. Rightly so. How could Pakistan be involved in terrorism when it was itself worst victim of it, said an Indian Union Minister. Pakistan too did not act apologetically or sheepishly. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif instantly offered all help and co-operation to the Indian government to get to the bottom of the horrendous crime. He assured India if provided any proof of involvement of non-state actors from Pakistan, they would not be spared and given exemplary punishment.
It is good to know that the two governments are in touch with each other and when the investigations on the Indian side reaches some substantive conclusion, Pakistan would send a special team to assess to what extent miscreants had Pakistani stamp. However, Pakistan has gone a step further by putting in “protective custody” Maulana Masood Azhar of banned Jesh-e-Muhammad (JeM) since India perceives him to be mastermind of Mumbai carnage (Nov 26, 2008) having a hand in Pathankot attack too.
Though the much-hyped Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue has been delayed by one month, silver lining is that both sides remain in touch with each other and the CBD is on hold but definitely not over. In this context the statement of new Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale is very welcome. According to him officials from both sides are in touch with each other and are trying to create the right sort of environment to provide a safe and confident start to CBD.
The Indian High Commissioner dispelled the impression that his country had attached any preconditions for beginning CBD. Notwithstanding Pathankot, India is committed to hold CBD is the clear message from Delhi. In relations to this both the foreign secretaries and national security advisers of Pakistan and India are in contact to thrash out modalities and timing of the first CBD.
Is the new date linked to progress made into the Pathankot investigations – the answer is certainly not as investigators in India have yet to go a long way in determining who was involved in from outside as well as inside. They have yet to find answers to some of the fundamental questions regarding the terrorists – were they home grown or they had crossed over from across the border. If so who could possibly be their mentors in Pakistan.
Some questions have been raised in Pakistani media regarding the delay in investigations and its failure to find substantive evidence to pinpoint the villain of the piece. Whatever, to foster a genuine understanding of trust and confidence – it shall have to be more convincing than putting the blame on the proverbial usual suspects. Terrorism is a hydra-headed regional threat and the countries directly affected by it – such as Pakistan, India and Afghanistan – shall have to free themselves from being hostage of their past distrust and come to terms with the dreadful realities to forge impregnable unity in action with the singularity of purpose based on the sure foundations of trust.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is perceived to be a game changer in the region. All the neighbouring countries and those others that will encompass in the larger scheme of things will by and large benefit from it. Economic windfall for millions of people, opening up of new markets, expansive job opportunities, ushering in of social welfare benefits for the greatest good of the largest number could only be possible if countries that believe in pursuing their foreign policy objectives through non-state actors bid farewell to them and take a fresh start based on mutual trust and peaceful co-existence.
The writer is a former high commissioner of Pakistan to UK
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk