More diplomacy

In agreeing to receive Pakistan8217;s Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz, the government has done right to make it clear that military operations in Kargil will continue without a break. In other words, India is prepared to try and unravel the situation through a dialogue, indeed believes that it is the best way to do it, but there will be no prior ceasefire to accommodate Aziz. Apart from the complications that a cessation of operations might produce on the ground in Kargil, there are no two ways about India8217;s air and ground strikes: they are a reaction to the presence of armed infiltrators on India8217;s side of the Line of Control LoC. Even a temporary halt in the process of evicting them would have to occur as the product of credible talks and not in anticipation of them. This much has been made clear and appears to have been accepted by Pakistan8217;s political leaders and foreign ministry. Aziz himself was saying over the weekend that the talks will be unconditional and the purpose to defuse the situation on theborder. This sounds promising. But it should be reiterated that the one thing talks cannot do directly or indirectly is to change the fact that incursions over the LoC must be rolled back. With that as the basic understanding, there is a chance the dialogue will be fruitful.

The importance of the bilateral diplomatic process in containing the Kargil conflict to its local confines is obvious. A dialogue at this stage is essential to reduce tensions, avert miscalculations and prevent an escalation of the conflict. Logically, the Aziz visit should be the first of a series culminating in the restoration of the LoC to its previous coordinates. But before logic can prevail, Pakistan8217;s political leadership will have to find some way of extricating itself from the mess it finds itself in. It goes without saying that it will go on working up the Kashmir issue in the hope of gaining some political advantage at home or abroad. Internationally, Islamabad8217;s efforts to persuade the major powers to intervene have not metwith any success so far.

The US, Russia, France, Britain and even China have restricted themselves to expressing concern about an escalation of tensions. Kofi Annan8217;s offer to send envoys to both countries has rightly been turned down by India and there are no other moves to involve the UN. Pakistani propaganda about Indian air incursions is increasingly being taken as baseless as India is seen to observe restraint in its military operations. But the government cannot afford to be complacent. It must take the initiative and consolidate its initial diplomatic gains. It must show how the Kargil incursions which are intended to alter the border alignment and give Pakistan a military advantage are a setback to bilateral agreements to talk through differences on Kashmir. More evidence has been obtained about the role of Pakistani regulars which should be made available to the world. Maps, border alignments, agreements, the works, can be produced again and again to nail Pakistani lies. Keeping the bilateralprocess going will deter those who might be tempted to intervene but it is still essential to make India8217;s case well.