This refers to Arab News report, “Modi tells Pakistani PM to prevent terrorism against India.” (May 27) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to India received wide media coverage in the two countries. Both the countries agreed to discuss easing of visa restrictions, increase in trades and resolution of all disputes through dialogue.
However such assurances before media persons have not brought about any change in easing tension in the region. Several key diplomats and officials have visited each other’s country in the past without solving any of the pending contentious issues or the long-drawn disputes between both the countries.
Meeting for just photo-ops and issuing statements to media is leading us nowhere.
The fact is despite growing poverty and unemployment and an unabated rise in the prices of basic commodities, the two countries in the subcontinent are still spending a huge amount of money on weapons’ purchase. It is spurring an arms race between the two nuclear-armed rivals endangering the whole of the subcontinent. The borders have been quite tense too.
In the event of any terror activity, India accuses Pakistan of exporting terror; Islamabad on the other hand sees Delhi hand in the disturbances in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan province.
But the fact is that neither of the two governments has been able to rein in the radical elements of extremist parties in their respective countries.
Key issues like Kashmir, Siachen, construction of controversial dams and frequent acts of terrorism in both countries keep making things worse. Only a few months ago Pakistan had taken a decision to move the International Court of Arbitration against the construction of the controversial Kishanganga dam.
This cold war has spilled over to Afghanistan where they are engaged in a proxy war. Unless both the governments are able to solve genuine issues and long disputes, dream of peace can’t come true in the region.
Subcontinent needs peace
