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Journalism of Courage
The differences between India and Pakistan may not be bridged in a day but a hard business proposal and a softer one—with a human touch—broke the ice today.
As if to counter any suggestion that it was trying to marginalise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, India came up with a bold proposal to allow families divided by international politics to meet each other at five specific points along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international boundary.
Inspired by the logic that prompted the idea of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran today told his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Khokhar that allowing Kashmiris from both sides to meet each other would be an important step in resolving the issue.
India has suggested Tangdhar, Poonch, Mendhar and Uri, along the LoC, and Suchetgarh along the international border as points where such families could be allowed their reunions on designated days. It has suggested that both countries jointly make security arrang-ements to make this possible.
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REACHING OUT
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• India and Pakistan agreed on a code of conduct for issues related to civilian prisoners like fishermen and others who have strayed across the LoC or the international boundary. |
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Meanwhile, there has been a ‘‘narrowing down’’ of differences on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service where travel documents remain the biggest obstacle. India has suggested doing away with visa requirements and allowing travel with a permit that accompanies a passport.
But Pakistan raised concerns about Kashmiris having to travel to the respective High Commissions at New Delhi and Islamabad to obtain the permit. This makes the procedure no different from getting a visa, it argued. New Delhi, however, felt the two countries could agree upon a system of pre-verification of individuals.
In the joint statement issued after the two-day talks, both sides have agreed to hold a technical-level meet on the Amritsar-Lahore bus.
The statement also underlined the ‘‘solemn’’ and ‘‘categoric’’ assurance made on January 6 by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that no territory under Pakistan’s control would be used for terrorist activity against India. Saran said terrorism was a threat to Pakistan too, making it a ‘‘shared objective’’.
It was agreed that local commanders from both sides would establish regular contact at designated places. On its part, Pakistan has been insisting on a strategic restraint regime to bring parity. One suggestion is ballistic missile systems should not be inducted.
Saran also met PM Shaukat Aziz who promised to make it easier for Indian banks to open branches in Pakistan. Khokhar later said the State Bank of India would soon open a branch in Pakistan.
