Indo-Pak ties: Will thaw set in?

Given the checkered history of India-Pakistan relations, it would not be easy to predict the outcome of any dialogue that takes place between the two traditional rivals.
The usual ups and downs in the relations between the two sides have made the it all the more difficult for many analysts to assess the true nature of the mutual relations of these two countries. These days, experts on both sides of the border are busy deliberating on a possible meeting between the premiers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in September in New York.
Will the two premiers’ meeting be confined to just a handshake, half a smile, a nod or more? Or will they decide to stay away from each other?
Interestingly, no official announcement to this effect has been made so far. The silence of New Delhi and Islamabad is apparently diplomatically essential. In India, the leading opposition party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants it to be called off. However, the Indian government has not formally announced its stand. There are reasons to believe that the meeting will be held but an official announcement will most probably be made at the last minute.
When questioned about it, a spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry said: “There’s still some time left before the proposed meeting.” Despite the recent tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), the top leadership on both sides appears committed to improve bilateral ties. During exchange of Independence Day greetings, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif of India’s commitment to pursue “peace, friendship and cooperation”. On the other hand, Sharif is hopeful that their New York meeting will “turn a new page in bilateral relations”.
In contrast to ethics and finesse being given great importance at diplomatic level, domestic politics has witnessed a totally different scene. Legislators on both sides have displayed their anger against each other. This refers to a resolution passed unanimously recently by both Houses of the Indian Parliament to counter one passed by Pakistan’s National Assembly (NA).
The Indian Parliament rejected the NA resolution against the Indian army and people, describing it as “absolutely baseless and unfounded”.
The Indian resolution, on the other hand, emphasized that, “there should be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind, including members of the Pakistan’s National Assembly that it was the Pakistan Army that was involved in an unprovoked attack on an Indian Army patrol on our side of the LoC”.
However, diplomatic manners were displayed later in the week in exchange of Independence Day greetings between the two nations.
During his Independence Day address to the nation, President Pranab Mukherjee without mentioning Pakistan stated: “Despite India’s consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbors, there have been tensions on the border and repeated violations of the ceasefire on the LoC, leading to tragic loss of lives. Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits.”
Prime Minister Singh made a similar point during his address.
“We have also strived for friendship with our neighboring countries. However, for relations with Pakistan to improve, it is essential that they prevent the use of their territory and territory under their control for any anti-India activity.”
Just a few moons ago, India – Pakistan relationship appeared to be on the verge of turning chilly, once again. However, for reasons best known to those at the helm of affairs, a few diplomatic statements changed the course. Speaking on “Public Diplomacy Initiative,” Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said recently, “War is no solution. Persistent dialogue is definitely a better alternative through which we are trying to normalize ties with our neighbors.”
Interestingly, the hype created about the tensions across the LoC did not prevent soldiers on both sides from exchanging sweets on the eve of their respective Independence Days and Eid at the Attari- Wahgah border. The tensions sparked by incidents on the LoC have not had any negative impact on trade between India and Pakistan. Certainly, incidents across the LoC keep surfacing now and then. While a lot of media hype is created and political noise made about their leading to tensions between the two countries, the diplomatic and economic relations convey a different message. Now it is to be watched whether Singh-Sharif meeting takes place in New York or not!

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