KARACHI, April 10: Brutal containment of the indigenous armed struggle by the Indian security forces in occupied Kashmir has not succeeded as Kashmir remains the focal point of a conflict that has frustrated the aspirations of the Kashmir people for peace and progress. The present situation seems to have foreclosed the possibility of a solution that satisfies the wishes of the majority of Kashmiris on the one hand and India and Pakistan on the other.

These views were expressed by eminent journalist Enayetullah Khan, editor-in-chief of weekly “Holiday”, Dhaka, who was here to attend a two-day conference of South Asian Editors’ Forum held on April 6 and 7.

When asked how he visualized the emerging situation in the region since the present standoff between India and Pakistan, Mr Khan said: “In South Asia much has not changed. Pakistan’s crisis emerging after Sept 11 continues as the Vajpayee government following the attack on the Indian Parliament has been escalating its campaign against Pakistan. I don’t think a stage has been set for renewing a meaningful dialogue to resolve issues hampering a peace process in the region.”

Besides, he said, a setback in polls to the BJP, the Gujarat carnage, partisan issues related to election for staying in power have gone against the BJP and Vajpayee’s moderation for which he was reputed.

“Prospects for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute which remains a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, are doomed due to off again and on again sequence of resistance, whether supported by Pakistan or not,” he said.

Asked about problems between Bangladesh and India in the backdrop of Delhi’s insistence for transit route from Bangladesh for its “seven sisters” (eastern provinces) and on the question of alleged infiltration of armed groups in its northren and eastern states, Mr Khan said: “ We do have certain problems with India but not of the nature of security and military dimensions, although India continues to point fingers at Bangladesh for allowing militant groups to infiltrate into Northren and Eastern India.

“The Indian issue in domestic electoral politics is no longer overt as political leaders on both sides of the divide do not raise its bogey as often as in the past. However, grievances over trade imbalance, foot dragging of the Indian government on duty free access to 25 Bangladesh commodities, border incursions by the Indian Border Security Force are the major issues which are talked about.”

“As for the water issue, it is settled although not to much satisfaction to Bangladesh.” Likewise, he added, the Chittagong Hill Tracts insurgency has also been put under the carpet after a treaty. So there is no major dispute between us with a military dimension.

About transit trade, Mr Khan said: “India still insists on transit trade from one part of its territory in eastern India to its north eastern part known as the seven sisters (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya) with Bangladesh in between. For Bangladesh it is difficult to concede this Indian demand due to an inadequate infrastructure and also owing to the security implications involving China.”

Is there any impediment to the promotion of closer ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh? Mr Khan said: “There are still issues between Bangladesh and Pakistan. One issue relates to assets which would come on agenda when leaders from both sides would meet. Another issue pertains to the demand that Pakistan should offer apology for the genocide of the people of Bangladesh during its army action.”

However, he added, these are issues which do not impede our mutual beneficial trade and economic relations as Pakistan does not really feature in domestic politics.

His attention was drawn to obstacles being faced by journalists in getting visa to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Enayetullah Khan said: “Getting visa is difficult generally in three South Asian countries and it is particularly so in the case of journalists. Had the visa been easily accessible for media, there would have been a greater understanding for regional cooperation.”

How far our economies depend on each other after 30 years of independence of Bangladesh? He said: “The dependence on each other’s economy since 1971-72 has been reduced to a large extent. For instance, Pakistan, which used to purchase tea from Bangladesh, is no more importing it from us. Perhaps Pakistan has opted for other sources. Likewise, Bangladesh, which used to buy raw material for machinery is no more depending on Pakistan as it is meeting its requirements from other sources. However, I think there are many primary and secondary manufactured goods, where prospects of finding markets between the two countries are bright.

“I personally don’t hold prejudices against the people of Pakistan despite suffering during the independence struggle for my commitment and role as the people of Pakistan were not involved nor did they have correct knowledge of the army operation.

“likewise, as far as India is concerned, we don’t have any jaundiced view of the Indian polity. Bangladesh is at the centre of Saarc and India and Pakistan ought to collaborate more closely to take the Saarc process further, particularly in the area of South Asian Preferential Trading rrangement (Sapta) and South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta).

Sapta was signed among the member states in April, 1993, which stipulates a gradual reduction of tariff among all the seven member countries, starting with the negotiations of tariff preferences on a product by product basis and laying down special rules for the protection of the economic interests of the least developed countries within Saarc.

Safta, which would be effective from 2008 as per decision of Saarc summit Colombo 1998, would remove impediments to free trade in the region and provide a much bigger market to each of the participating countries.