The beginning of secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan is a positive development, but not getting any concrete result out of it, as usual, is a negative aspect. The Pakistani delegation must have known well about India's complaints, but even then it did not come to India for talks with any positive message from its side. Our delegation headed by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao deserves to be commended that it sat down for talks with full preparations. Not just one but three dossiers were handed over to Pakistan.
Terror Issue
The first dossier was about the Mumbai terror attack, while the second one was about the threat by terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri, and the third one about absconding Indian criminals hiding in Pakistan. We can be reassured that the post of Indian foreign secretary is being held by a skilled woman diplomat. She rightly raised the Pune explosion issue before the Pakistani delegation. While there was a lot with Indian delegation to give and say to the Pakistani delegation, it seemed as if the Pakistani delegation had come here to "pass time".
To irritate Indians, Pakistan again sang the Kashmir tune. Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir went to the extent of repeating that India had a hand behind terrorism in Baluchistan. It is another matter though that they did not have any proof to substantiate the same.
Impact of Pune Explosion
After the death of 15 persons in the Pune explosion, India could have refused to talk, but still it favored talks. These talks were proof of India's goodwill. Yes, the Pune explosion did have an impact in the sense that the entire dialogue was converted into brief talks.
The main issue and regrettable fact is that Pakistan is not doing anything in the direction of stopping terrorism directed against India. When Nirupama Rao must have said that both countries would keep in touch in the future, Salman Bashir obviously must have been very pleased because for Pakistan, the show of talks is more important. After returning to Pakistan, Bashir would, perhaps, publicize that India is compelled to talk and there would be talks in the future.
Maintaining Positive Attitude
It should be noted here that the Indian Government had decided to hold talks again with Pakistan with a positive attitude, but this positive attitude could be maintained only if we continue to exert adequate pressure on Pakistan. Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack, is openly holding rallies in Pakistan and issuing threats against India, but the Pakistani Government cannot see this truth.
The Indian delegation has done the right thing by also raising this issue during the talks. India would have to reply to Pakistan's pack of lies by always speaking the truth. Some day, it would be ashamed. Some day it would improve. We must continue to talk with this hope.
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