At the India-Pakistan foreign minister-level talk that was in the news for the past several days, the two sides gave a proof of prudence, and it seems that learning a lesson from their past lapses both the neighboring countries want to make a headway in a bold manner. It, however, does not imply that a complete thaw has taken place in the relations between the nations.
Confidence-Building Measures
It is good that India and Pakistan have wisely accepted the mutual differences and have deemed it fit to take forward the process of confidence-building measures. On this count, the meeting held between Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rambani Khar can be termed satisfactory. From the consensus on extension of transactions along the Line of Control to four days, encouraging tourist and pilgrimages, relaxation of the visa conditions, and mitigating the differences on the Kashmir issue show that simultaneously with the changing scenario the change in other aspects is also discernible now.
For, Pakistan loses no opportunity to raise the Kashmir issue. Before the meeting with Krishna, Khar's meeting with Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Gillani and Mirwaiz Farooq had led to such indications. Further, the meeting took place at a time when with the arrest of Pakistan lobbyist Ghulam Nabi Fai in the United States a new face of Islamabad on Kashmir has come to light. Just not that, Pakistan has been persistently shying away from extending expiration in the 26/11 Mumbai case investigations. Notwithstanding all this, Pakistan has exhibited its inclination toward extending its cooperation on the issue of the war on terror.
Establishment of Fresh Ties
From the foreign ministers meeting it is also evident that foreign secretaries of both countries had done a fairly good amount of homework. That is why probably that Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao could comment that political will is discernible with regard to the establishment of fresh ties between the countries. The truth is due to the commonality of the historic background of India and Pakistan there has been a massive lack of mutual trust between them from the beginning. If some change is now perceptible in the Pakistani attitude toward India then it is obvious reason is that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism today and it is faced with pressure from all directions, including the United States.
In the circumstances, the Pakistani foreign minister's observation is a positive development that the new generation will witness new relations between India and Pakistan. Yet, nonetheless, it is to be seen now to what stance Pakistan takes on the terrorism front.
Confidence-Building Measures
It is good that India and Pakistan have wisely accepted the mutual differences and have deemed it fit to take forward the process of confidence-building measures. On this count, the meeting held between Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rambani Khar can be termed satisfactory. From the consensus on extension of transactions along the Line of Control to four days, encouraging tourist and pilgrimages, relaxation of the visa conditions, and mitigating the differences on the Kashmir issue show that simultaneously with the changing scenario the change in other aspects is also discernible now.
For, Pakistan loses no opportunity to raise the Kashmir issue. Before the meeting with Krishna, Khar's meeting with Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Gillani and Mirwaiz Farooq had led to such indications. Further, the meeting took place at a time when with the arrest of Pakistan lobbyist Ghulam Nabi Fai in the United States a new face of Islamabad on Kashmir has come to light. Just not that, Pakistan has been persistently shying away from extending expiration in the 26/11 Mumbai case investigations. Notwithstanding all this, Pakistan has exhibited its inclination toward extending its cooperation on the issue of the war on terror.
Establishment of Fresh Ties
From the foreign ministers meeting it is also evident that foreign secretaries of both countries had done a fairly good amount of homework. That is why probably that Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao could comment that political will is discernible with regard to the establishment of fresh ties between the countries. The truth is due to the commonality of the historic background of India and Pakistan there has been a massive lack of mutual trust between them from the beginning. If some change is now perceptible in the Pakistani attitude toward India then it is obvious reason is that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism today and it is faced with pressure from all directions, including the United States.
In the circumstances, the Pakistani foreign minister's observation is a positive development that the new generation will witness new relations between India and Pakistan. Yet, nonetheless, it is to be seen now to what stance Pakistan takes on the terrorism front.
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