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Journalism of Courage
By formally establishing a channel of communication with Pakistan8217;s Chief Executive, New Delhi has given its Kashmir peace initiative the requisite depth. Ever since Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee effected a virtual ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir 8212; and especially since General Pervez Musharraf reciprocated by announcing restraint along the line of control 8212; all concerned parties have appeared to be headed towards a common goal post: Dialogue, a commencement of negotiations aimed at a political solution. If this little observation seems glaringly obvious, the next logical step is proving to be far more difficult to choreograph 8212; that is, defining the contours of the dialogue, negotiating agreement on the modalities of talks, ensuring that the web of contacts established among the large number of players does not get too intricately tangled. All along, there has been palpable tension that precious moments are ticking away, that if some sort of breakthrough is not achieved before January 26, whenthe ceasefire comes to an end, a rare opportunity to conclude a tragically violent period in the Jammu and Kashmir8217;s history would be forever lost.
Indian High Commissioner Vijay Nambiar8217;s 8220;courtesy call8221; on Musharraf in Islamabad on Monday has lent welcome clarity to proceedings. Nambiar conveyed to the military ruler India8217;s desire for resumption of a 8220;composite dialogue8221; between the two neighbours. He also articulated India8217;s demand that Pakistan foster a conducive atmosphere for meaningful engagement by addressing its concerns about Islamabad8217;s overt and covert support to cross-border terrorism. Nothing new in any of this, some would be immediately inclined to point out, so where8217;s the breakthrough? After all, Musharraf8217;s response too was rather predictable. First initiate a dialogue, he said, normalcy will follow. In addition, he repeated that Kashmir wasthe 8220;core issue8221; in bilateral relations. This unscheduled conversation is, however, significant. It marks the resumption of formal contact after the Kargil war and the subsequent military takeover in Pakistan. In that context, it is a long overdue retraction on New Delhi8217;s part from its earlier stance that it would not do business with military dictators.
