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Journalism of Courage
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s readiness to discuss any issue with General Musharraf, including Kashmir, displays maturity and confidence. The ministry of external affairs, by contrast, has often been more interested in avoiding the airing of differences than in free and frank discussion. It is simply untenable to assume that when the leaders of two nations meet they can confine their talk to relatively trivial issues. It is unrealistic to suppose that India can postpone even discussing Kashmir. India can put forth its position candidly and forcefully if it wishes. That would be preferable to maintain the pretense that all problems will dissolve if the two leaders simply stick to exchanging polite social niceties. The frank airing of views will not embarrass India, avoiding issues most certainly would. The MEA should also drop its reluctance to countenance any discussion outside regular diplomatic protocols. Foreign affairs are too important to be left to foreign ministry officials alone.
General Musharraf is coming at a critical juncture in the peace process. His warning that another Kargil could happen if Kashmir is not resolved has dampened the euphoria generated by people-to-people contact. Both countries now need to think of the next steps in this process. Militants have once again threatened to derail confidence building measures by targeting the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service. Both India and Pakistan have to work together to ensure that a handful of militants do not jeopardise a still-fragile peace. This will require even more intense engagement between the two governments. The peace process will be long and arduous. But it defies logic to suppose that we can keep Pakistan interested in the process if we recoil at every mention of the K-word. India8217;s position has rightly been that Pakistan should be judged by its actions, not its words. A corollary of this is that both sides will have to allow each other some slack when it comes to public posturing. The general will probably say a few things that will make us recoil, and we will reiterate positions that will not exactly be music to Pakistan8217;s ears. But both countries should now act maturely enough to not sulk at the slightest slight.
