Daily Times

Both India and Pakistan share a history of turbulent relations mired in deep mistrust and enmity fuelled by the events of the past, over which the current generation has no control. Having fought four wars, the relationship never took the course that one between neighbours should take. This relationship has at best been that of a quarrelling couple not allowed a divorce and forced to live together. The sane from both sides acknowledge that while one can choose friends, one cannot choose neighbours. While knowing that the future shall be charted by decisions that are taken today, the sane have failed to move public opinion in a way that the peoples of both countries can benefit. Public opinion thus remains a hostage to history and the people continue to suffer the effects of inflated expenditure connected to the security threat that each country perceives. Unfortunately, media on both sides of the border acts irresponsibly, feeds on any negative news story and sells it with a sensational hue. The reporting about the recent events at the LoC is testimony for this. Media on both sides has generally not reported events objectively, with the Indian media choosing to be even more sensational.

While there are elements on both sides that wish the LoC to be a ceasefire line that needs to be livened every once in a while as a military strategy, the reality is that both sides agreed for it to be a LoC, and thus though belatedly, agreed to a ceasefire agreement along it in 2003. This was followed in 2005 by a joint statement whereby both agreed not to develop any new posts and defence works along the LoC. The Indian daily The Hindu of January 10 acknowledges that this time around, the Indian army began constructing observation bunkers around Charonda, seeking to monitor the movement of villagers and this led to a series of clashes between the two sides with each claiming losses. The Indians also alleged that one of its soldiers was beheaded.

When efforts to build new posts were made or suspected in the past, border flag meetings were sought to resolve the matter. This agreement and the subsequent promise made in the joint statement must be respected by both sides, and a mechanism to jointly investigate any alleged violation evolved. Preferably, provision of night-vision cameras to the troops at vulnerable posts to record evidence of violations should be looked into by both sides. Regarding the gruesome beheading, Indians must realise that the Pakistan army is a professional outfit, and all professional soldiers respect the dead, even if they be from their enemy. It is, therefore, inconceivable that this act was carried out by the Pakistani troops. Furthermore, the Pakistan army would never escalate at a time when it is fighting the war on terror in the the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Such acts can only be the actions of those wanting to stretch the Pakistan army to its limits to relieve the pressure it is exerting on them elsewhere. Even on a religious note, such an act would be against the injunctions of Islam pertaining to warfare. The first Caliph gave these instructions to the Muslim army, which are the guiding principles for any Muslim member of the army: “Stop, O people, that I may give you 10 rules for your guidance in the battlefield…You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman…” The Indians should, therefore, look for the perpetrators of this crime elsewhere.

The first victim of this act has been the visa liberalisation allowing people over 65 getting a visa on arrival. India has put on hold its implementation. This step was welcomed by thousands of divided families who have their loved ones in India. These families were forced to live separately by the circumstances of the partition and had never had the opportunity of free travel for more than 60 years. They have again become a victim of an act of hatred. India needs to allow the liberalisation to take effect.

The EU today consists of 27 countries. Most of them have been a party to many wars. France and Britain having a war history over centuries are now close allies. Belgium was run over twice by the Germans, yet they now live in peace. Japan ambushed South East Asia during WWII, yet it is now its partner in progress, and of the US. These are not timid nations, but they have learned that only peace can bring prosperity to their citizens and have, therefore, looked for points of convergence rather than remaining hostages to their history.

India and Pakistan must realise that they have to move forward and acknowledge that contrary to the wishes of the founders of both nations, the majority communities of both committed atrocities at independence, and the exodus and killings instilled hatred in the psyche of both nations. Thousands of Muslims migrating to Pakistan were brutally murdered and scores of innocent Muslim women were abducted. It is also true that many Hindus who had established businesses in these areas were forced to leave Pakistan while many were also killed. All this happened before Kashmir acquired the status of a dispute, and it can, therefore, be rightly assumed that these incidents were the driving force behind the psyche that developed later. Taking responsibility for these actions of their peoples, both countries should tender apologies over this sad chapter in their history. Both nations must grow up.

The colonial powers while leaving the occupied territories left deliberate fault lines across most of Asia and Africa as it suited them to leave the newly independent states in a state of constant attrition so that they could buy their war wares. It was up to these states to see through the design and settle their differences for the betterment of their peoples. Both India and Pakistan have miserably failed at this and are fighting over the fault lines deliberately left there for them.

The status of Jammu and Kashmir is a dispute between the two that on the humanitarian principle alone needs to be resolved as per the wishes of its inhabitants. The Indian move into Kashmir was based on the fear of losing water for its breadbasket areas. India later succeeded in legitimising the exclusive use of the water from Beas, Sutlej and Ravi through the Indus Waters Treaty. Having secured its water, the only restraining factor barring the resolution of the issue is ego. This political issue needs to be handled politically and its resolution requires that both the countries do not see each other as enemies. As long as both countries perceive each other as enemies, they will let the other bleed, and this will continue to be the reason for perpetuation of the current situation causing concern to the people of both, including the inhabitants of Kashmir who have been made to appear as pawns. In the absence of a mutual desire to seek an end to enmity, disputes will never be resolved and both nations will continue to take action that gives them any strategic advantage over the other.

Armed with nuclear arsenals, both have a perfect recipe for mutual disaster. Yet there are belligerents on both sides that dream of annihilating the other. While there are those who dream of the ‘tiranga’ being flown in Lahore, there are others who want the Pakistani flag flying on the Red Fort in Delhi. Both these thoughts come from sick minds. In our communities we do ever think of either occupying or destroying our neighbour’s house? If that is wrong, so are these thoughts.

It is time both realise the need for the settlement of their disputes amicably and learn to live like good neighbours so that the South Asian poor reap the benefits of the peace dividend. Both should, for a change, let the west face the impact of reduced arms sales and resulting job losses.

The writer can be reached at thelogicalguy@yahoo.com