THIS was a Pakistani soldier speaking. Briefing the media in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Gen Ashfaq Kayani admitted being India-centric as he explained the Pakistan military high command’s view of the situation in the region. He reiterated Pakistan’s old security concerns of which India and an Indian presence in Afghanistan have always been a part. Gen Kayani maintained that Pakistan cannot afford to lower its guard and must base its strategy on India’s military capability, not its intentions which could change at any point. But that was only one of the messages that came out from the meeting. Reports say the army chief also emphasised the need for a Pak-India dialogue. He said, and he was in sync with the political leadership of the country in making this statement, that Delhi should not allow “a single terrorist act of a non-state actor” to scuttle the peace initiative. Notwithstanding the Indian argument contesting the non-state tag for the attackers who hit Mumbai in November 2008, it will be in the interest of peace and people on both sides of the border to build on Gen Kayani’s desire for a dialogue.

But it will take some doing to clear the obstacles. There is a media which is still not sure what sells more: peace or war? There is this tendency in the governments on either side to periodically raise the bogey of a hostile neighbour, for a cheap populist slogan overrides all other matters. And then there is this situation where both Pakistan and India are so reluctant to shift their old positions. Also on Wednesday, Islamabad responded to a seemingly positive overture from New Delhi by insisting on a composite dialogue — as opposed to the ‘measured contact’ proposal floated by India. New Delhi has been pressing for its own objectives, such as the call for a quick trial of the ‘masterminds of Mumbai’.

Such rigid positions must be adjusted so that a start, however tentative or ceremonial, can be made towards the ultimate goal of resuming the composite dialogue which was showing considerable promise not too long ago. There are a number of issues pending between Pakistan and India, and it is unreasonable to insist that one particular concern must be addressed first or, conversely, that only a composite dialogue will do. Surely the leaders, both civilian and military, on both sides of Wagah realise that two nuclear-armed countries have no option but to live in peace. The old track-two doves have been seen taking the Lahore-Delhi flight in recent days. But these visits will be meaningless if they are not a prelude to long-delayed official contact.
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