The progress made in the India-Pakistan home secretary-level talks is an indication that the endeavors made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to improve mutual relations through cricket diplomacy are bearing fruit. The Indian side was led by Home Secretary G. K. Pillai, whereas Pakistan was represented by Qamar Zaman Chaudhry. The joint declaration released at the end of the two-day home secretary-level talks may not, after all, be taken as a major success or a milestone; yet it helps in thawing the ice on their relations. This aspect cannot be ignored.
The new measures enumerated in the joint declaration may raise queries as to when these would actually be implemented. What is, however, heartening is the fact that the home secretaries have admitted that the talks were positive and progress has been made.
Step Toward Exchange of Information
The joint declaration issued at the end of the talks mentions a hotline to be set up to deal with terrorism. The purpose behind it is to exchange any information on terrorism as early as possible. It was further decided that a team of investigators from India would visit Pakistan to question the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage, who are under trial in Pakistan. Also, a judicial commission from Pakistan would come to India to get information from some of the witnesses in Mumbai. The agreement on these points assumes significance because earlier, Pakistan was not agreeable to let a team of Indian investigators visit that country. The setting up of the proposed hotline, in fact, is a step toward exchange of information on terrorism.
It may be recalled that recently, Pakistan had conveyed some intelligence reports to India regarding possible terrorist attacks during the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. There are several terrorist organizations working from Pakistani soil, which are purported to be involved in several acts of terrorism in India. A beneficial outcome of the exchange of information on terrorism would be that it would be easier to take precautionary measures. There is yet another progress in this respect: the two sides have agreed to establish cooperation between investigation agencies of the two countries. The cooperation between India's National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would help in solving cases relating to terrorism soon.
Cross-Border Terrorism
An important issue that relates to difficulties in getting visas also finds a mention in the joint declaration. The two countries have agreed to set up a joint working group. To ensure that the process of the dialogue and progress may continue, Indian Home Secretary G. K. Pillai would now visit Islamabad. Although innumerable issues continue to hang fire between the countries, what is heartening now is that both sides clearly and unambiguously presented what was in their mind during the talks lasting more than five hours.
The 26 November 2008 terrorist attacks, cross-border terrorism, explosions in the Samjhauta Express, and smuggling of fake currency are issues that yield numerous statements, but precious little is done to address them and no attempt is ever made to reach agreement on these issues during serious dialogues. The deliberation held on these issues during the secretary-level talks is a positive indication indeed.
Conducive Atmosphere Created
It is, however, a matter of great satisfaction that the cricket diplomacy initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, prior to the home secretary-level talks had a salutary impact on the talks, and both countries responded. A meeting of foreign ministers of the two countries is scheduled to be held in July.
One should hope that the conducive atmosphere created as a result of the cricket diplomacy would have its influence on the proposed talks in July also. It should be further hoped that the progress made in the secretary-level talks would continue during the foreign ministers' meeting, and also thereafter.
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