Peace by piece

The foreign secretary talks in New Delhi this weekend have added substance and depth to India-Pakistan relations. Both countries demonstrated great maturity and the desire to reshape bilateral ties by negotiating a series of agreements. Both governments would have reasons to feel satisfied with the progress achieved. For Pakistan, the Kashmir issue has been central, and India has agreed to a separate working group at the foreign secretary level for discussions. India, for its part, had sought to bring the problem of terrorism and the broader issue of peace and security into the fold of bilateral dialogue. What may surprise many is the prominence given to the Shimla agreement, insisted upon by External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh soon after assuming office, in the joint statement. India and Pakistan have iterated their 8220;determination to implement the Shimla agreement in letter and spirit and hope that the dialogue would lead to a peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, to the satisfaction of both sides.8221;

Given the nature of bilateral relations, especially since 1989, this qualifies as a major breakthrough. That it comes on the fiftieth anniversary of the Panchsheel, which emphasises the five principles of peaceful co-existence, is fortuitous. But given the complexities of the issues involved, normalisation of relations between the two countries leading hopefully to permanent peace is still going to be a difficult process, though not necessarily an impossible task. The two foreign secretaries are to meet in late August to review the progress of the composite dialogue and to prepare for the meeting between the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers. A number of outstanding issues on the agenda are ripe for closure to the satisfaction of both sides.

But new opportunities are also present. Both sides should lengthen their gaze and focus on how to build a cooperative and enduring relationship. This of necessity would have to go beyond dispute settlement to creating interdependence and would need to be future-oriented rather than being bogged down in the past. Only such an approach can eradicate mistrust over time, making relations less vulnerable to emotional reactions and domestic politics. Pakistan8217;s economy has shown a remarkable turnaround during the past two years. The move to have a professional economist as prime minister, as in India, also indicates a resolve to give economic and social development high priority. This promises greater opportunities for peace and prosperity. We need to ensure that both sides make haste slowly without oscillating between undue euphoria and cynicism.