The Vajpayee-Musharraf Meet: Will the US hand turn the tide?

25 Jun, 2001    ·   511

Parama Sinha Palit on the the various aspects of the July summit
Parama Sinha Palit
After the failed ‘bus diplomacy’ more than two years back, the Indian Prime Minister has once again attempted to open a new chapter in mutual co-operation, for improving the ties between India and Pakistan . India has also expressed hope that Pakistan would respond positively to its gesture. The ground for a harmonious discussion has been paved with India calling off the six-month old ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir and signaling its intent to deal firmly with the terrorists operating in the region.

 

 

The fresh Indo-Pak summit, likely to be held in July, is in pursuance to the Lahore Summit and the Simla Agreement. There are indications that Pakistan would also like to arrive at the talks with positive initiatives to its credit. The Pakistani premier, General Pervez Musharraf, seems keen on shedding his popular image of an indefatigable warrior against India , by taking on a more tolerant and reasonable disposition. He chose the significant occasion of the Holy Prophet’s birthday to caution leaders of Islamic parties and organizations from making statements, which prompt the rest of the world to question Pakistan ’s credibility as a responsible state. He also asserted that he would not allow religion to be used for political gains. These radically strong views were supplemented by the concerns expressed by General Musharraf about the fragile Pakistani economy and its dwindling international credibility. 

 

 

The conciliatory posture of General Musharraf has been backed up by supportive moves elsewhere. The former All Party Hurriyat Conference chairman and pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Geelani, a vocal advocate of armed struggle for achieving independence in Kashmir, has also criticized jihadi groups for spreading hatred against India. He called it un-Islamic to ‘malign a nation and its people’. The Hizbul Mujahideen has also softened its stand and wants to give peace a chance on the eve of the Vajpayee-Musharraf talks. At the same time, however, the refuge of militants in the holy shrine of Anantnag conveys a different impression. 

 

 

The cause of the Pakistani nation, as well as that of peace in South Asia , would be well served, if Pakistan realizes that a state identified purely on sectarian grounds, is anachronistic to the modern concept of nationhood. This, perhaps, is the strongest reason behind Pakistan ’s international isolation. India ’s invitation to General Musharraf for breaking the ice between the two nations is also being interpreted as a formal recognition of his government, putting an end to the military regime’s international isolation.

 

 

One school of thought is inclined to believe that the Indian government has extended the invitation to General Musharraf under the covert influence of the US . The External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh’s visit to the US in last April had prompted such an initiative. Both the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell and the National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice (whom the Minister met during his visit) are believed to have urged India to think beyond the Kargil war and renew its dialogue with Pakistan that had promised to take off during the Lahore summit. The US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage’s recent visit to India and his meeting with the External Affairs Minister and the Prime Minister further reinforced this plea.

 

 

In one of his recent interviews, General Musharraf has said that he would be coming to India with an ‘open and flexible mind’. He has also emphasized upon Kashmir as the ‘core’ issue for discussion. The grand bargain would be a comprehensive autonomy package satisfying national interests as well as the aspirations of the Kashmiris. The desired framework for peace would imply that India and Pakistan accept the LOC as the border (In the Simla Agreement (1972) President Bhutto had promised Indira Gandhi to convert the LOC into the international border, which never materialised. All past wars with Pakistan have ended with the recognition of the LOC, albeit de facto as the international border). 

 

 

The ingredients of a fruitful package for J&K should aim for closer ties between POK and Kashmir through a soft border along with sustained reduction in cross-border terrorism. The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road can be opened in due course of time. Further, steps should be taken for creating a Jammu and Kashmir Free Trade Zone, demilitarizing the entire region, and unveiling a comprehensive autonomy package for J&K. The framework should also enable Kashmiri Hindus to return to the state and have their properties restored.

 

 

Many are convinced that by accepting India ’s peace talks, General Musharraf is preparing the ground for approaching Western capitals, for bailing out Pakistan ’s staggering economy. The Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar is scheduled to visit the US in July. This will be the first high-level contact between the Bush administration and Pakistan . The latter is expected to make a strong plea for the lifting of the sanctions imposed by the US and the G-8 countries. As of now, it remains to be seen by what extent India ’s closer ties with the US help in shaping the July summit between the two Asian giants and alter the political balance in the South Asian region in the post-Cold War period. 

 

 

 

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