Friday, July 29, 2011

Beginning of New Era in India-Pakistan Cooperation

Although nothing substantive came out of the talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, S.M. Krishna, and Hina Rabbani Khar respectively, the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and both resolved to keep the process of dialogue alive to find solutions to various issues including terrorism.
Positive Aspect
The positive aspect of the talks held in New Delhi, is that both countries have come to realize that none of them is to gain anything by following the policy of confrontation and by making provocative speeches. Both countries are the nuclear powers in South Asia. There is urgent need that the two countries bury past bitterness and tensions and move together to improve mutual ties, to turn the region into a haven of peace and amity ensuring development and prosperity for their peoples.
Leaving behind the bitterness of the meeting held in Islamabad last July, the foreign ministers of the two countries had positive and useful talks, and resolved to carry the process further. Addressing a joint press conference after their talks, they said that terrorism today poses the greatest challenge to both countries and there is dire need of dealing with it together. Both agreed that all pending issues and disputes can be resolved through the process of dialogue only. They recognized the need of mutual cooperation, coordination and confidence building measures to improve their relations. The two ministers succeeded in putting earlier differences and disputes aside and agreed to enlarge the scope of bilateral tourism and trade. Perhaps, because of this attitude, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, later commented that the mist that had engulfed their relations has cleared.
Toward Strength and Stability
The foreign minister of Pakistan said that the relations between the two countries have entered a new era. Since there is a change in the mind set of the peoples of the two countries, it would be easier to carry the relations in the right direction. She asserted that it was her sincere desire that the process of dialogue should continue without any hindrance. People in official circles too feel that the relations would now smoothly move toward strength and stability. In his meeting with the foreign minister of Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that we would have to strive hard to bring our relations on an even keel. Hina Rabbani Khar informed the prime minister that the new generation in Pakistan is desirous of having better relations with India.
The picture that emerged from the talks of the two foreign ministers and the joint press conference is that Pakistan has now come to realize the futility of confrontation with India because of its strained relations with the United States. It feels that instead of looking toward others for getting their issues resolved, it would be in the fitness of things to hold talks with India to find solution to all outstanding issues.

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