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THE pattern of violence along the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region is familiar, but against a backdrop of an unravelling security and political situation in India-held Kashmir, the latest LoC tensions are particularly troubling. The usual set of accusations and recriminations have followed the violence over the weekend along the LoC: Pakistan has accused India of targeting local populations across the LoC; India claims it was Pakistan that started the exchange of fire. And as ever the brunt of the violence has been borne by the local population – numerous injured and several reportedly dead by Sunday. With Pakistan’s civilian leadership in Beijing for the One Belt, One Road summit and India declining to participate because of its objections to CPEC projects linked to China through the Gilgit-Baltistan region, the cross-LoC violence is also a reminder that the local and the regional are closely connected in Kashmir.
For Pakistan, the challenge remains the same. Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa has been a frequent visitor to the LoC in recent times and has had a consistent message: Pakistan will defend itself against Indian belligerence while drawing international attention to India’s crimes against the people of IHK. It is a sensible approach and should be complemented by counselling restraint to local commanders along the LoC. If India is keen on escalating conflict to draw attention away from the trouble it faces in the occupied territory, Pakistan should not allow attempted Indian diversions to succeed. Since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office three years ago, there have been periodic tests, varying in intensity, of Pakistan’s resolve along the LoC. By now, Pakistan should be able to separate genuine incidents from possible Indian attempts to cause a flare-up along the LoC for political purposes.
On the political front, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Mr Modi need to return to the path of dialogue urgently. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakhstan presents an early opportunity, especially since the gathering will mark the accession of India and Pakistan to the SCO. The absence of dialogue has allowed Mr Modi to pursue ever more aggressive policies in IHK and for all of Pakistan’s attempts to bring global attention to bear on India’s violence against the Kashmiri people, the whole spectrum of Pakistan’s relations and disputes with India has suffered. Indeed, for hawks in both countries, the argument that dialogue in current conditions is meaningless is part of the problem – arguably, it is the absence of dialogue that has allowed the situation in IHK to worsen and Pak-India tensions to remain at worryingly highs levels. Mr Sharif has shown great courage in adhering to his dialogue-focused approach to India. The Indian prime minister needs to reciprocate and demonstrate that he truly understands the demands of statesmanship.
Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2017
Comments (15) Closed
" Mr Sharif has shown great courage in adhering to his dialogue-focused approach to India.................. The Indian prime minister needs to reciprocate and demonstrate that he truly understands the demands of statesmanship."
Most complicated joke we have come across in the past 3 years !
Modi is a good manager but he is not a visionary leader. Till he is there, there will be no peace between Pakistan and India and looks like he is not going anywhere soon.
All card games are not played with a Joker. Joker is not an Ace neither a King nor a Jack. Joker has no colour. It is we who decide the place of a Joker. ………….Hope NS & Modi play cards without a Joker........!
Well you see although we try to keep everything neutral, under control…… a simple reason can push us to the extremes and lead to chaos! Instability is the new ‘constant’. AND therefore once for all the Joker should be placed in correct position…….......then surely relationship will be as per the aspirations of the people of both the countries ....having many commonalities to share,rejoice and also worry over.
Till such time the security establishment runs the home ministry& foreign affairs, talks will always fail. Because, if peace returns, security establishment will lose primacy.
Is there anybody who believes cease fire violations are for last time?
The country that covets another's territory would be the first one to start firing, not the other way around.
An advertising agency is 85 percent confusion and 15 percent profit…… ……...People always seemed to know half of history to get it confused with the other half………!!
Read twice ....unable to get to the point Sir!
The editorial is not based on facts. It was Modi who risked opposition from the hawks in his party and paid a surprise visit to meet Sharif. Nothing ever came out of it but more violence.
Editorial is not good analysis done by the writer. Facts are different. Initiative by PM Modi who sent Mr. Jindal for re-start of the peace talk did not yield any fruitful results so far. PM Sharif is not doing any thing towards better relationship with the neighbouring countries.
its like the never ending story. Just goes on and on.
The peaceful relations between two countries at any time are very fragile. A little knock here and there turns the relations topsy turvy. The lack of mutual trust between two countries is responsible for all the problems. No amount of people to people contacts and crickedt has helped anytime for long. So let there be a decade of cool off period. Let both the countries and the media focus on their day to day issues.
@BNA Good suggestion
Reading this article, i felt like sitting in a class room and taking lectures on social ethics and showing good will towards your neighbors and people around.
but unfortunately, it is so far-fetched from reality. Specially, the last sentence is epic "Sharif has shown great courage in adhering to his dialogue-focused approach to India. The Indian prime minister needs to reciprocate and demonstrate that he truly understands the demands of statesmanship."
as if Modi doesn´t know and he will be a good guy after reading this piece :)
@SVK then you need to revisit your education if a simple truth is complicated for you. Some explain in simple terms to this chap, but speak slowly.
Pakistan should call in UNMOGIP to review the Loc.