Move on, war is no option
The air strikes inside Pakistan territory and the promised retaliation by Pakistan is ample proof that the situation is turning worse in the Asian subcontinent as the two neighbours are ignoring calls for peace and settlement of disputes through negotiations.
Why is it that the two countries fail to understand the yearning for peace among its people. War is definitely no solution to the problems faced by the two nations, but an element of hate and mistrust has grown so deep that the leadership in the two countries is not willing to trust each other.
To begin with, there appears to be very little trust in any quarter of both capitals. Both leaders Prime Minister Narender Modi and Prime Minister Imran Khan face political realities that could inhibit them from taking any major risks.
Modi, who had the mandate did not get the time as there were elections in Pakistan and only as late as November last year a government was formed in Pakistan. Likewise Imran Khan, who commands a thin majority in Parliament had the initiative but elections are due now in India and the BJP has lost its strong footing it had otherwise established during the last general elections.
The situation as of now has gone to the extent that it seems that both the nations are sitting on a volcano. To begin with, the situation at the Line of Control urgently needs attention, and a restoration of the ceasefire would be a major move forward for both countries.
Imran Khan could earn Pakistan an economic breather if he adheres to the international Financial Action Task Force’s demands on ending terror financing; he would earn more goodwill by directly addressing India’s concerns on the support to militants in Pakistan. These actions could set up an even bolder move, no matter how unlikely it currently seems: for PM Modi to agree to restore the SAARC process.
Things have to move at a faster pace as suggested by the United Kingdom today after the relations between the two arch rivals touched an all time low.
The British government called on India and Pakistan to pursue diplomatic solutions in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack and the aftermath of the attack.
Pakistan and India have to improve cooperation and find diplomatic solutions that will create greater stability and trust in the region. Besides, stability the immediate fallout of the situation has been that the people living in volatile zones like Kashmir have been living on the edge as any escalation has a far greater impact on them directly.
Over the past three decades since the armed struggle began in Kashmir region, the people living on both sides of the divide have been witnessing fear and harassment.
It is high time that both the countries come together and work for the betterment of its people and stability in the region. That will be beneficial for all rather than blowing the war trumpet that will spell doom for both the nations.
KV Network
