On the 50th anniversary year of the second official war that India fought with neighboring Pakistan over Kashmir way back in 1965, this author is reminded of an observation that she made to a Pakistani journalist friend regarding no exchange of pleasantries at the border during the Independence Day celebration this year.
“Why warriors from both nations cannot donate blood on such occasions for each other’s use,” wondered this author, even as super-nationalist hysteria started infecting public discourse and tension ran high along the troubled frontier. While there is every reason for India and Pakistan to commemorate the sacrifices made by valiant soldiers for the cause of their respective nations, gestures like this can help heal the silent scars of animosity lying deep within. Even an honest soldier would admit that war, despite tales of unmatched heroism, has ultimately been a story of the lost since eternity, because there are no winners, only losers at the end of any brutal conflict.
Indeed, no country, howsoever powerful militarily, ever wanted the gory sight of death and destruction associated with armed conflict to become the cornerstone of its national identity. At the end of the day, we also must realize that there is no point in sowing seeds of hatred, especially in a region like South Asia, where rage has taken strong root and confrontation never seems to cease. No doubt, neither the Indian nor Pakistani leadership would encourage elements rejoicing nationalistic jingoism in order to ensure that people do not find salvation in conflict.
After all, the attitude toward conflict has changed drastically in an era where complex and ambiguous asymmetric warfare has become the order of the day. Amid critical economic challenges and differing strategic approaches to global geopolitics, conflict still remains a source of spiritual salvation and hope of regeneration, but only to those brainwashed non-state actors responsible for ruthlessly bruising humanity intermittently. Whether it is the butchered school children in Peshawar or innocent civilians falling prey to mindless terror acts in India, the message is loud and clear — it is time for both India and Pakistan to jointly confront the hydra-headed monster called terrorism. True, the phenomenon of nationalism enjoys profound political and emotional legitimacy in modern society and finds manifestation in the Indian subcontinent too. But the naked passion of self-love hidden in jingoistic nationalism will eventually undermine the great potential of a gifted South Asia.
The South Asian leadership therefore must understand that the region is gradually getting entangled in the classic poverty-conflict trap. Unless a holistic socioeconomic development program is adopted for the whole region, regional nations will have little or no stake in a friendly neighborhood. There is no denying that widespread regional underdevelopment and consequential sociopolitical turmoil often pressurize the ruling elites into redirecting mass grievances.
And a rising public display of intransigence on issues of bilateral conflicts between neighbors is the resultant outcome. However, artificial escalation of bilateral tension to the extent of crisis situation may drift toward full-scale war or even minor skirmish. In view of it the traditional pattern of state-to-state relations should be overhauled. The civil society across the subcontinent must be incentivized to exchange free, fair and frank views and ideas on even the most controversial subject so as to establish a mammoth interest group, longing for peace and tranquility.
When enlightened citizens are converted into stakeholders of peace, the task of conflict management becomes easier. South Asia cannot remain a zone of stark contrasts and conflicts for eternity and must re-invent itself as a region on the move, seeking to enter the world stage with confidence. For India and Pakistan there is only one road map, that of burying past bitterness and transforming South Asia into an economic union, with a common market and common currency.
And an integrated South Asia cannot be achieved by romanticizing war. It will be built brick-by-brick through concrete achievements on the ground, which will help create a de facto solidarity among 1.7 billion people. For that to happen, stakeholders in conflict must be sensitized about the benefits of conflict resolution. Around 160 million people died in wars during the 20th century and a lot more casualties are added to the list with each passing day. So while celebrating the valor of soldiers, let us also pledge to end hostility permanently for the sake of our people still reeling under widespread poverty and deprivation.
