Let the Ice Melt Further

It is heartening to see that Indo-Pak relations are once again on road to normalcy. The Prime Ministers of the two countries met during the recent SAARC summit held in Maldives. Among other things, they exchanged complements and patted each other’s back. Prime Minister Geelani declared that his Indian counterpart, Dr. Manmohan Singh was a ‘good man’. Obviously he was addressing his Pakistani audience, especially the anti-peace elements, with a view to convincing them that India under Manmohan Singh was trustworthy. Trust deficit is here also but across the border its volume and size are bigger.

In return to Geelani’s complement, Dr. Manmohan Singh called him a ‘Man of Peace’. There has been a lot of ‘chest-beating’ here. Many have charged the PM that he is easily carried away with emotions. However, the criticism is misplaced. Manmohan Singh is not an emotional being and he weights his words before he speaks them out. His motive was just to encourage the elements in Pakistan who want better relations with India. The PM is also aware of Pakistan’s geo-strategic importance in emerging Asian economy. The PM’s intention, therefore, was to encourage Pakistan to give up belligerence and march towards peace to reap economic dividends of the rising Asia.

In politics, national or international, flexibility always pays. We must realize that in the globalized world it is well nigh impossible to prosper while practicing isolationism. It is especially difficult for neighbours to live in peace and flourish while pursuing policies of mutual destruction.

In the wake of terror attack on Mumbai, New Delhi decided not to engage Islamabad in bilateral dialogue. But it is impossible to avoid your neighbours for ever. If not in Delhi and Islamabad, you have to meet Pakistan in some regional or international bodies. This is the way the world politics works today. We knew it even when we stopped talking to Pakistan. That had happened due to the wide-spread anger generated by the mindless Mumbai attacks.

But the ice had to melt; it began melting when a pretty face, the new Pakistan Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar visited New Delhi a few months ago. The Indian Middle class was impressed with many suggesting to appoint a particular actress as our Foreign Minister to counter the Pakistani move.

The process of normalization started by Krishna and Khar has received a desirable shot in the arm by the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan. Both the Prime Ministers do have their domestic compulsions but it is good to see that they have risen above such concerns and focused on issues of larger bilateral interests.

It ought to be realized by people on both sides of the border that the impending economic renaissance of Asia will happen sooner than later. Fortunately, of late Pakistan, or at least a section of the ruling establishment, has also realized it. They know that Pakistan is strategically located as it links China, India, in fact, the south Asia with Central Asia and the Middle East. China realized this reality long ago and got connected with Pakistan by developing a difficult highway that passes through deep valleys and high mountains.

We have known Pakistan’s strategic location and its economic importance since long. Now Pakistan also seems to have realized it, and as a result has taken a bold step to confer on India the status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN). We accorded MFN to Pakistan long ago but failed to bring about necessary changes in rules to facilitate cross-border trade. Now, both New Delhi and Islamabad need to take up measures to accelerate bilateral trade to the desirable level. Today India imports goods worth $ US 328 billion in which the Pakistani share is less than one percent. Experts are of the view that if the two nations bring about necessary changes in their trade rules/ laws the volume of bilateral trade will jump to $ US 10 billion within three years.

There was a time when Pakistan feared that India’s giant economy will swallow its weak economy which prevented them from according to India the MFN status. Fortunately, they have now overcome their fear. They deserve to be complemented and encouraged to continue walking on the road they have taken. We are the elder brother, we must not act ‘big-brotherly’ but show the large-heartedness of a caring brother to promote and ensure mutual cooperation, economic development and progress.

(October 2011)