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Journalism of Courage
It is encouraging to find Atal Behari Vajpayee so clear-headed on what needs to be done on the Pakistan front. He has emerged rapidly from the fog of the election campaign and set aside rhetoric about being stabbed in the back and so on. He is prepared instead to make a fresh beginning with Pakistan. 8220;There is no other way except reviving our dialogue8221;, Vajpayee said in an interview to this paper. Such pragmatism is very welcome. It is the right approach to take towards Pakistan. It looks therefore as if there will not be too much of a policy hiatus if the National Democratic Front comes to power. Efforts can be expected to be made quite early for the resumption of official talks. Whether Islamabad will respond appropriately depends on how soon the domestic political crisis in Pakistan will end.
During the present turmoil there, New Delhi must be prepared for anything. Vajpayee suggests American pressure might deter one or other political contender in Pakistan from trying another ill-conceived adventurelike Kargil. Whether or not adventurism is a remote possibility, it must be taken into account as must the prospect of prolonged political uncertainty and policy paralysis in Islamabad. Is any purpose served by trying to initiate talks before Pakistan sorts out its leadership quarrels? The answer is yes. First, it would be a positive signal about India8217;s willingness to go the extra mile to find a solution to outstanding problems. Second, it would deliver a clear message to the whole Pakistani political establishment that the only way forward is through bilateral negotiations; anything else is futile and self-defeating. Third, an Indian initiative could turn out to be just what democratic leaders in Pakistan need to douse the fires of popular discontent after Kargil.
