Friday, July 29, 2011

India-Pakistan Talks: Positive Indications

After the India-Pakistan foreign secretary-level talks followed by the foreign minister-level talks, it appears once again that the Pakistani Government is keen to extend cooperation to the Indian Government to enhance mutual partnership. Similar situations were witnessed in past years also. However, this time around, it seems somewhat different, as Pakistan has started perceiving the ground realities gradually, about which adequate realization has been missing so far.
People's Problems
Dictators and politicians of that country have been playing a game over the decades, out of which nothing positive had emerged. Instead, Pakistan's very survival seems to have been imperiled. People's problems have assumed far more serious proportions than before.
Now, Pakistan rulers have started realizing that the shoulders on which they had rested their guns for firing have started trembling. The seeds that were sown by Pakistan are now being harvested by itself. The sport of bloodshed being played by it claimed lives of thousands of innocent people. The sovereignty of the country is being challenged by militant organizations on a large scale. Pakistan appears entrapped in an utterly tight position. Under such circumstances, it seems it can ill-afford to remain constantly at loggerheads with India. Pakistani rulers have now undoubtedly taken a major turn.
Core Issue Between Two Countries
The core issue between the countries is that of Kashmir, and they are now desirous of a peaceful solution to it. They are holding out promises to each other to promote cooperation in this regard. On the problem of terrorism also, the two nations seem to be speaking in the same voice.
Foreign ministers of India and Pakistan have expressed the view that terrorism is persistently posing a big threat to peace and security. They have, therefore, assured that they are fully determined to wipe out the threat of terrorism in all conditions. At the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meetings also, the issue of cooperation is often deliberated on. The two nations have, therefore, committed to cooperate with each other in the spirit of SAARC nations. They have expressed positive sentiments by talking in terms of relaxation of visa rules facilitate traffic on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, and also on the Poonch-Rawalkot passage.
Economic and Trade Front
In addition to Kashmir, the outstanding issue of Sir Creek and Siachin are hanging fire for a long time now. The maximum emphasis was, however, laid on economic and trade related issues at this meeting.
In case these sentiments are actually translated into action, there is every likelihood of positive changes coming into the relations between the countries, and the overall environment in this region can get largely transformed.
At the same time, terrorist organizations have been at work to see that India-Pakistan ties do not improve. But the changing scenario tends to help and inspire to initiate more positive steps in bringing the two nations closer. It can usher in a new era of peace in the region.

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