Daily Times

Sir: It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this open letter at a time when the relationships between two neighbouring countries India and Pakistan has been tense due to conflicts and terror attacks.

Everyone is aware of the nature of relations between India and Pakistan. The partition of united India in 1947 displaced up to 12.5 million people. The Kashmir conflict and numerous military conflicts were the aftermath of this partition.

India and Pakistan established diplomatic relations even after the violent partition and numerous territorial claims. Since their independence, the two countries have fought three major wars and one undeclared war. These two nations share linguistic, cultural, geographic and economic links, but still their relationship has been distressed by opposition and suspicion.

The Kashmir conflict is the main centre point of all these conflicts. There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship between two countries but these efforts have been prevented by periodic terrorist attacks. In India, strong protests by Indian Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal activists disturb the peace process and impede the improvement of India — Pakistan relationship. The recent terror attack on Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab near the Pakistani border also disturbed the peace process.

The India-Pakistan International Border (length — 2900km) separates two countries from each other, and is one of the heavily militarised international borders. Since the independence of India and Pakistan, the border has been a site of numerous conflicts and wars and is one of the most complex and dangerous borders in the world.

If the Indo-Pakistani border can divide two countries and create hateful environment, then the same border can also unite the two countries and can create a permanent environment of happiness.

Through the columns of your newspaper, I request the governments of India and Pakistan to reshape the complex and dangerous border into a simple and safe interaction point. Both states need to improve their bilateral relations for the betterment of humanity.

The use of military force cannot bring peace. Mercy for humanity is required between the people of two countries so as to end all wars, terrorist attacks and conflicts. If the people of two nations perceive the importance of peace and follow the same in their life then there is no need of border security in the future.

SIBGATH KHAN

Bangalore

India