August 17, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 18, 1424

WASHINGTON, Aug 16: Pakistan is going to be a major factor in the forthcoming general elections in India whether the current move to improve relations between the two nuclear neighbours succeeds or fails, says a recent report released in Washington.

The report — Indian elections 2004: an early preview — was prepared by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and covers various aspects of electoral politics in India.

It gives a detail review of major political parties and trends in India and also analyses the impact of Indian elections on regional and international affairs, particularly New Delhi’s relations with Washington.

While discussing the Pakistan factor in Indian politics, the report points out that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hopes that the prospect of improved relations with Pakistan will aid the Bharatiya Janata Party’s electoral prospects. He also has indicated that this will be his final attempt at peace.

“Mr. Vajpayee wants to be the architect of a new, better relationship with Pakistan and a peaceful resolution to Kashmir,” the report says.

It, however, points out that the BJP is in a comfortable position on this issue as it is bound to benefit if relations with Pakistan improve but it will not be a loser even if its efforts to do so fail.

“Hard-line or cynical figures in the government seem to believe that the BJP is well-positioned. If current peace efforts fail, the government will have a strong moral case for resuming a tough policy and appealing to nationalist sentiment,” the report says.