Pak-India talks on terrorism and culture

Pakistan OBSERVER, Tue, Jul,10, 2007.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

The Interior Secretary of Pakistan and Home Secretary of India had to wind up their talks quickly because of the Lal Masjid crisis forcing the Pakistani delegation to come back to Pakistan quickly. The talks were scheduled for two days but because of the Lal Masjid standoff the talks were cut short enabling the interior ministries officials to come back a day earlier in order to deal with the crisis. However it must be stressed that the two parties were ostensibly able to make some progress even within one working day. 

The two sides agreed to establish three sub groups with a view to undertake a detailed analysis. These groups included one each on terrorism, drug trafficking and exchange of information on wanted criminals. Given the past record of four years since the peace process started and pronounced lack of progress in conflict resolution areas, the advances made by the interior secretaries are not too unimpressive. 

The statement by the Indian Home minister after visiting Indian Held Kashmir for two days that Pakistan should not be blamed for all of India’s troubles with terrorism generated relatively positive vibes.  He stressed that India should not blame Pakistan for every wrong thing such as increase in infiltration or spurt in violence in Kashmir. ‘We are not in the process of blame game. We are trying to understand and complement each other’. After a long time it appears that even the India officials are beginning to embark upon a realistic path. Exaggerated versions of infiltration and blatant denial of others’ efforts does not help all that much. 

Prior to interior Secretaries talks, the Pakistani interior secretary had expressed optimism by stressing that they would work for positive outcome. The past record amply reveals that the Pakistani delegation invariably attempted to secure a constructive outcome despite the fact that the progress in some areas continue to remain depressive. During the last four years not much progress has been witnessed in areas of conflict resolution. 

Compared to the negotiating baskets dealing with Kashmir dispute, Siachin, Sir Creek and water conflicts, the progress in the latest meeting of interior Secretaries have been certainly somewhat successful especially if viewed within the context of time constraints. The agreement to form three sub groups to have a thorough discussion is indeed a good idea. However it would be useful if each of the sub group is given specified time limit which should not extend beyond few months. 

The fourth round meeting of the Culture Secretaries has also been relatively more impressive than all other negotiating baskets. But then this is not the first time that they have demonstrated impressive gains. Any impartial evaluation of the entire negotiation process would certainly conclude that gains made in meetings relating to peoples’ contact have been far more than the other meetings. 

The two day meeting between the Culture Secretaries of the two countries was held during the last week of June 2007 under the fourth round of Pakistan-India composite dialogue on the promotion of friendly exchanges. At the end of the meeting a brief joint statement was issued indicating that they have discussed a Program of Friendly Exchanges for the period of 2007-2009 and agreed to work towards its expeditious implementation. The two sides also made many proposals with a view to enhance cooperation in the fields of art and culture, archaeology, sports, youth affairs, traditional system of medicine (Unani Tib and Ayurvedic medicine), education, information and media, tourism and visits to religious shrines etc. 

Undoubtedly the Culture Secretaries have covered a lot of ground and appear to be making impressive strides. As a matter of fact the advances made in the area of people to people contact far exceed the gains made in other negotiation baskets. Perhaps that is why there are many on both side who believe that the progress in these areas could be easily further accelerated. Cognizant of complex nature of the issues subjected for discussion, the progress is indeed welcome development. 

Two aspects of people to people contact need to be serious considered; extension and enlargement of transportation network with initial focus on opening more air transport route. Admittedly there exist two operative air routes (from Lahore and Karachi on Pakistani side whereas from Indian side are Delhi and Mumbai) but third routs are being considered by both sides but more bus links could help facilitate the movement. 

But perhaps more important to facilitate peoples contacts is the visa facilities. Although many would agree with me that visa are being granted now on a much larger scale compared with the past but the procedure are still very cumbersome and complex. Not only there exists a dire need to simplify the procedures but also the two countries must increase the number of cities or areas for visits. Currently only few cities are allowed to be visited. Time has come to increase the number of cities substantively with a view to eventually opening the entire country for the intended visitors. 

Linked with visa facilities is the opening of Consulates. Unless and until the Consulates at Karachi and Mumbai begin to work the procurement of visa would continue to remain major problem for those intended visitors who live far away from the two capitals. People of Karachi have to come to Islamabad to get the Indian visa and similarly people from the South of India have to go to New Delhi to get Pakistani visa. So far all reports indicate that the Indian government has not been facilitating the Pakistani search for a suitable place in Mumbai for opening of the Pakistani Consulate. 

By and large the peace process has so far demonstrated a mixed record. Some areas like people to people contact, CBMs and trade some progress has been made. But areas that fall into the category of conflict resolution so far, in real terms, no progress have been witnessed. There is no doubt that to make progress in conflict area is far more difficult than non conflict areas. Nevertheless it is only natural that one expects speedy gains in soft areas. 

While there is no doubt that incremental progress is being made in soft areas but the peace can only come when the hard areas are tackled successfully.  Even in soft area, there are skeptics who feel that progress is peripheral and not lasting. If any of the major conflicts is resolved than it would not only vastly improve the overall atmosphere but would also have impact in terms of accelerating progress in soft areas. 

Given the past history of hostile relationships between India and Pakistan, it is not too difficult to comprehend that progress would indeed be slow but in view of the peace process that has already consumed four years and a large network of CBMs is in place, the growing impatience is also understandable. Therefore it appears imperative that the peace process makes accelerated progress in soft areas and visible progress in conflict areas.

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.