BRUSSELS, April 1: European Union policymakers are keeping a close watch on relations between India and Pakistan amid fears that the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours could be heading for another summer of heightened tensions over Kashmir.
EU diplomats say last week’s terrorist attack in Kahmir has convinced governments in the 15-nation bloc that despite the current focus on the Iraq war, the international community must engage both Islamabad and Delhi to ensure that Indo-Pakistan feuding over Kashmir does not spiral out of control.
Senior EU diplomats told Dawn that European governments were sending a strong two-pronged message to the two countries: Pakistan must do more to stop the cross-border infiltration of extremist groups into Kashmir and India must respond to the effort by engaging in a dialogue with Islamabad.
While many in Europe say Pakistan has been unable to completely stop the movement of extremists into Kashmir, EU diplomats also recognize that India’s continued ruling out of talks with Islamabad is not making it any easier for President Pervez Musharraf to clamp down on reported cross-border infiltration.
In addition, there is little sympathy for India’s argument that its actions in Kashmir are part of a global combat against terrorism. “There is no analogy between the international anti- terror drive and border problems in Kashmir,” said an EU diplomat.
Pakistan also looks set to be in the EU spotlight for other reasons. On the political front, an EU-Pakistan trade and cooperation pact signed by the two sides in November 2001 is still pending ratification by the European Parliament, with opinion divided among EU politicians on just how quickly the assembly should approve the accord.
Meanwhile, India’s decision to ask for a World Trade Organization panel to investigate the validity of EU tariff concessions given to Pakistan’s textile exporters under the generalized system of preferences has ensured that relations with Islamabad are also on top of Europe’s trade and business agenda.
Early parliamentary approval of the EU-Pakistan agreement looks unlikely, say diplomats, with many members of the European assembly still sceptical about whether there has been a “genuine” transfer of power from the military to the civilian authorities and worries about Pakistan’s human rights record. EU policymakers and parliamentarians are also keeping a close watch on the national debate on the Legal Framework Order (LFO).
Many Euro deputies are waiting for proof that Pakistan has taken note of the criticism of some of the “flawed” election processes identified by an EU election observer mission last October. For many members of the EU parliament, support for the EU-Pakistan pact from members of Pakistan’s National Assembly would also be an important argument in favour of quick endorsement of the agreement.
The European Parliament is currently reflecting on sending a small parliamentary delegation to Islamabad for contacts with its Pakistani counterparts.
Business and trade relations between the EU and Pakistan have bounced back after a rough stretch last year following a decision by PIA to purchase America’s Boeing aircraft rather than the European-made Airbus. “That chapter is totally closed,” said a diplomat.
With regard to the Indian complaint over textile trade concessions granted to Pakistan in the wake of the 2001 Afghan crisis, New Delhi argues that its exports have suffered because of the tariff preferences given to Pakistani exporters.
“We are looking into the complaint but do not believe that the impact on India has been significant,” said an EU trade expert.
The Pakistani trade priveleges will run out in 2004 when the EU’s current generalized system of preferences comes up for a five-yearly review.
In what diplomats say is further proof of Europe’s plans to expand ties with Pakistan, EU governments have said they are ready to cooperate with Pakistan in areas such as combating money laundering.
The EU is also ready to provide technical assistance to the Pakistani government to improve the authenticity of passports and other travel documents. “If the number of forged Pakistani passports is reduced, those travelling with bona fide documents could face less hassle at European airports,” said an EU diplomat.
