Daily Times

Though the two countries are stems of the same root and enjoy a shared history that is centuries old, Pakistan and India have failed to develop cordial relations in the post independence period. Since their very inception, these neighbours have virtually been at draggers drawn. Starting from the bloodshed during partition through to Kashmir and to the Mumbai attacks, the intensity of problems and disputes has only aggravated. Unfortunately, the governments of the past (and present), succumbing to political expediency, have also hesitated in taking decisive steps for the resolution of disputes.

Being two different nations, the differences in terms of culture, religion (of the majority) and lifestyle are ample but the similarities also cannot be ignored. A recent visit to India once again reminded me of these similarities, which range from traditions to language, between the people across borders. Walking down the streets of Mumbai, one cannot help but compare the dynamic city to happening Karachi. The people, language, climate, and even the infrastructure (except the skyscrapers that are a prominent feature of Mumbai’s landscape) seem very similar. The only apparent difference is manifested in the Hindi script on fancy advertisement hoardings and glittering sign-boards scattered across the city.

The visit, which took place on the invitation of the Indian external affairs ministry, provided the opportunity to interact with ministry officials (including External Affairs Minister S M Krishna), Indian journalists, chamber of commerce officials and various other segments of Indian society. The discussions not only provided the chance to put across Pakistan’s perspective pertaining to controversies involving the two countries, it also gave first-hand exposure to the Indian point of view.

Liberalisation of the Indian economy, which started in 1991, has enabled it to progress at an impressive pace in recent years. The increasing despondency and gradual decline in our peoples’ enthusiasm regarding Pakistan’s future outlook stood in stark contrast to the optimism in the Indian general public and government for their future growth. Like Pakistan, India’s growth potential is also strained by a severe energy crisis, characterising long power outages, especially in rural areas, but, unlike Pakistan, the news is not worthy enough to make headlines in prime time bulletins. Mobs of flustered protestors on the streets, frustrated at the load shedding, taking their anger out on infrastructure and public property is a rare sight. It is probably the optimism and hopefulness about future growth that India’s economy draws its strength from.

The Indian officials repeatedly raised their concerns regarding the pace of the Mumbai attacks trial, linking the prospects of composite dialogue with the progress on the issue. The Indian media seems equally radical on the topic and is the major pressure group, barring the government from any progress in bilateral relations that ignore the Mumbai incident. Quite certainly, the planners of the Mumbai attacks have overwhelmingly succeeded in achieving their target of stalling the process of dialogue between the neighbours by creating an environment filled with hostility. Indian intellectuals and officials, on various occasions, complained about the occurrence of such events whenever bilateral relations seem to be improving (probably a reference to the Kargil War). Sadly, they have not been able to put emotions aside and continue the peace process in order to fail the ulterior motives of the terrorists (irrespective of their origin).

The Mumbai incident has intensely affected the Indian psyche; the intensity of emotions on the issue holds parallel to the anger in Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute. The Indian public, media and government appear to be convinced of the involvement of Pakistani citizens, with the tacit backing of certain elements of the establishment, and want to see them accounted for the killings. The Pakistani government is perceived as providing cover to the accused by deliberately slowing down the pace of the trial, and is considered to be disinterested in dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism support. On the other hand, Indians fail to justify the awfully slow pace of the Samjhauta Express blasts investigation. Four years down the road, central questions pertaining to the incident still remain unanswered. The fact that the Mumbai attack could not have been executed without the aid of locals and that Indian nationals executed the Samjhauta blasts highlight the existence of elements, on both sides, that aim to sabotage the peace process.

Unfortunately, over the years, the two countries have developed an inclination to ignore the arguments or demands of the other. On both sides of the border, accepting the other side’s view is perceived as a sign of weakness. As a result, quite expectedly, the two countries have made little progress, if any, to build an environment of mutual respect and trust. Both sides continue to live in their blood-spattered pasts, and have paid a huge price in terms of lost economic opportunities.

Throughout the world, economic prospects have compelled even the worst of enemies to mutually work for solutions. Just four decades after the Second World War, European countries amalgamated into the European Union to achieve a common dream: prosperity for the people of Europe. It is about time that we realise the importance of regional stability and cooperation on the path to development. People to people exchanges between the two sides need to be increased in order to break stereotypes. Logic and reason should be given voice over emotions and radicalism. Some 64 years of pursuing the policies that nurture militancy and aggression (from both sides) have not only failed to settle the disputes but have actually aggravated their intensity. The future should not be allowed to remain hostage to the past. Pakistan and India need to learn how to live like good neighbours and establish an atmosphere of mutual trust. Disputes can only be settled through meaningful and uninterrupted dialogue. There is no shortcut available.

The writer is a graduate of Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. He can be reached at usmanshami@yahoo.com