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Indian
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has decided to invite
Pakistan’s Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, to
India for talks at the latter’s earliest convenience; a step
that the Pakistani leader has since long been stressing upon,
with the blessings of the international community. On the other
hand, India has ended its unilateral ceasefire in Occupied
Kashmir. How do you visualise the outcome of these developments?
Please
send your opinions at
vf@jang.com.pk
Your
Opinion
- This development is
positive, especially with an 180 degree turn in
India’s attitude to General Musharraf. The Indian
consider General Musharraf to be the architect of the
Kargil scenario. It seems that now diplomacy is being
resorted to and this can be considered a victory for
Pakistan.
Mohammad Jawad Alam
Pakistan
- India has ultimately come
to the point of talking to General Musharraf (a long
awaited invitation from Indian Prime Minister). However,
the CE of Pakistan should be very careful in the
forthcoming negotiations as India has in the past reneged
on its commitments made during negotiations. The examples
are:
1. India accepted cease-fire and settlement of the
Kashmir issue in the UN Security Council through a
plebiscite in Kashmir but later ignored the UN
Resolution.
2.The Tashkent settlement after the war of 1965 was also
ignored.
3.The Simla agreement has also been ignored.
4.The Lahore declaration has not been implemented (this
will be further manifested in the’ forthcoming
negotiations).
How can Pakistan expect positive talks with the Indian
Prime Minister? In the light of the above mentioned,
General Musharraf has to plan for a positive approach and
keep pressure on India till the final implementation of a
just settlement, otherwise, this will be also a piece of
paper.
Mohammad Manzar Husain
USA
- Some people in Pakistan
feel India is now coming around to plebiscite. People in
Kashmir (AJK) feel there is a chance they might stop
living in fear and move on to improving their personal
lives. India is developing and forging ahead economically
and is becoming increasingly powerful at the world stage.
It wants to have a peaceful neighborhood and move on.
General Musharraf has no idea how to mobilize people for
talks with India. It cannot be done through television
debates as he is planning now. One of the steps to
strengthen his
hand for negotiations could be to restore the legislature
now and get their support. He could thus pave the way for
democracy in Pakistan and then also try to get elected
later. He needs to get elected as head of state to sell
the deal he makes with Vajpayee to people of Pakistan
after that.
What can he do now? He is politically too weak to make
any agreements that can make fundamental changes in AJK
or J & K. Instead, he could concentrate on making a
deal that will improve education and jobs for the man on
the street in Pakistan, become popular and consolidate
his power.
One of the goals that can be achieved is what India and
Pakistan can do together? They should harness technology
for mass education in Pakistan and create jobs by setting
up factories in Pakistan with Indian, US and World Bank
help.
The second goal achievable for General Musharraf is to
take some steps to heal the animosity of people in
Pakistan towards India and make friendship between
neighbours grow. Then, after years down the road, India
will feel comfortable enough to agree to the Iran-India
gas pipeline going through Pakistan which will bring
monitory benefit to Pakistan.
Suman K. Mishr
USA
- General Pervez Musharraf
should accept this invitation with an open heart and
should not indulge himself in seeking whether it is
intrigue or sincere invitation because we can't afford a
single mistake concerning the Kashmir issue.
Anjum
Pakistan
- Pakistan's leader should
graciously accept India's invitation to talk about
various issues besides Kashmir. Pakistan must accept the
LoC as the final settlement to the Kashmir issue and move
on. Not to do so will be a disaster for Pakistan
primarily.
M. Kumar
USA
- It would be a great relief
for the people of South East Asia if the talks between
India and Pakistan on Kashmir end with a positive
outcome.
Deepak Singh
India
- Mr. Vajpayee's offer for
talks should be reciprocated positively. Poverty is the
real enemy of the people on both sides of the border.
Let's "freeze" Kashmir for 10-15 years. Both
the countries should slash their defence expenditures and
use the money saved on things that really matter to a
common man in both countries viz. education, health,
social infrastructure, etc.
Waseem Khan
USA
- Mr. Vajpayee's invitation
to General Musharraf for talks over the issues between
India and Pakistan, in my opinion, is merely a camouflage
action for the simultaneous increase in military action
in Kashmir. The talks would definitely bring no
improvement in India's stance over Kashmir.
Pakistan should talk but should not expect any major
breakthrough. It will be only military losses including
the lives of personnel that would in the end bring about
a disgraceful Indian exodus from Kashmir. We are
determined to keep sacrificing till that time.
Zahid
Pakistan
- The Indian government is
wasting time. They should stop killing Kashmiris first
and invite the Kashmir Hurriyat Conference to talk as
well.
Iftikhar Alam Khan
Jeddah
- Considering the
acceleration of on-going political activities during the
five months of the current year between USA, China,
Russia, Pakistan, and India, it is fair to conclude that
the conflict on the Indian subcontinent doesn't operate
in a vacuum. Peace will come only when current leaders on
the Indian subcontinent show courage to agree to a
mutually beneficial solution.
Kishan Bhatia
USA
- I think this is a golden
chance for both countries. What was the result of the
three wars, which they fought over Kashmir? The best
option for the problem is to give independence to the
Kashmiri people. General Pervez must go to India for
talks.
Dr. Rashid Bhatti
Ghana W. Africa
- What a political somersault
and what a betrayal of democracy in Pakistan! By his
erratic invitations and non-invitations, Mr. Vajpayee has
achieved at least one thing: he may have legitimized a
military dictatorship in Pakistan that has been begging
for legitimacy since its inception for the past two
years. It looks like the democratic Indians have again
betrayed the beleaguered democratic forces of Pakistan at
a time when they needed India most on their side.
Mr. Vajpayee didn't even ask Mr. Musharraf to go easy on
the political parties of Pakistan as a condition for
talks with India. He has once again, for all practical
purposes, imposed a Pakistan Army officer and his cortege
of generals on the back of Pakistan’s political
process for decades to come. One can even say India is
partly responsible for the ascendancy of the Pakistan
Army in Pakistan’s politics
For Vajpayee, what a foreign policy zigzag! First, he
will have a cease-fire and sit with Hurriyat but not with
Pakistan. Now, he will sit with Musharraf but not with
Hurriyat and have no cease-fire! Does that make sense?
Why no cease-fire? And why not all three and in fact, all
four for talks? Why not Abdullah as well? (If Mr. Jinnah,
in his moment of arrogance had not refused to sit with
the senior Abdullah -- Kashmir would have been part of
Pakistan today).
As to the question of what can be achieved from these
meetings. For one, it will realize the delusion of the
accidental CE that he has been sent by God to get rid
Pakistan of its miserable democracy and its wretched
political leaders. And his successful wager on Kashmir --
as an excuse for staying in power after the coup de tat -
that it will get him the 'privilege' of sitting face to
face with the Indian leaders in his birth place, Delhi.
As far as the real issue is concerned, neither Mr.
Musharraf nor Mr. Vajpayee can do much other than rehash
the fifty-year old rhetoric even if they wanted to take
some positive steps.
Nasah
USA
- I think it’s very
good. I hope Pakistan and India again become good
friends. If this happens, it will be good for Pakistan
and India. Now we should stop fighting. It’s worth
nothing.
Zeeshan
Pakistan
- The established
international norm for peace initiatives is to announce a
cease-fire and open up talks. But India has done the
opposite. It has called off the cease-fire and invited
Pakistan for talks. Is there not something to be read
between the lines?
P. Echcha Poruki Nai
Colombo, Sri Lanka
- The recent invitation by
the Indian government to Pakistan for peace talks gives
an insight into the Indian policy towards the Kashmir
dispute. Last year, she announced unilateral ceasefire in
Kashmir and offered APHC the opportunity to negotiate
over the issue while at the same time, ignored their
demand for the inclusion of Pakistan in the talks. This
time, she has shifted her policy by inviting Pakistan for
talks while bypassing the Kashmiri representatives.
This is a clever move on her part to isolate the APHC as
she has also ended the six-months long ceasefire in
Kashmir. Pakistan is also in a difficult position as it
has to give a positive
response to this invitation showing respect to its oft
repeated view of seeking to settle the Kashmir dispute
through peaceful means. But at the same time, Pakistan
has to give the Kashmiris a sense of participation in
these efforts aimed at solving this long-standing issue
on which not only the fate of Kashmiris but more than one
billion people of the region hangs in balance.
The track record of previous mutual dialogue between the
two countries is not very encouraging. Pakistan is
certainly in a difficult diplomatic position and it will
be a real test of judgement and farsightedness of its
foreign policy-makers. One important point to be
understood from the recent invitation is that the Indians
are not willing to have " tripartite talks" on
the issue of Kashmir.
Engr. Saleem Nawaz Babar
D. I. Khan
- We, the people of Pakistan,
must have to recognize the historical fact that we are
the descendants of the Hindus, and not of Arabs or
Afghans. In simple words, we are the children of the
Hindus, but with an Islamic faith. This is the only way
to harmonize the relationship between two countries.
Tanweer Hussain
Germany
- General Musharraf has been
invited for talks by the Indian government. Previously,
the Indian government was not agreeing to the talks
saying, "favourable atmosphere did not exist".
Now, on one hand, India has invited the CE for talks and
on the other, has created a "favourable
atmosphere" by discontinuing the cease-fire, which
existed till now.
It may be mentioned that the Indian invitation has not
made any mention of Kashmir while extending the talks
offer. Moreover, Kashmiri Mujahideen must be a part of
the parleys, as without them, the discussions would
remain meaningless.
General Musharraf and his aides will have to be extra
vigilant during the discussions with their counterparts
as it is very difficult to read the Hindu mindset.
Air Cdre (R) Azfar A Khan
Rawalpindi
- If starry eyed Pakistanis
begin rejoicing at the mere hint of some feigned move
towards peace, they need to take a more realistic account
of the issues. India will never relinquish its illegal
occupation of Kashmir and neither will Pakistan back down
from demanding autonomy or plebiscite for this
beleaguered state, to say the least.
It is no longer a matter of geo-political importance that
gives impetus to this small part of the world, but a
volatile mix of religious passion, nationalism and the
'do or die' honour ethos of not just Kashmiris, but of
all parties involved. Notwithstanding security and
political matters, the destruction of the Babri Mosque
and the Indian government’s complicity in that sad
and horrible misadventure still smolders in the hearts of
many a Pakistani and Kashmiri and it would not take a lot
to rekindle those passions to an explosive level again.
Shaking hands and talking peace is all very well but such
pleasantries belie the truth of blood and flesh, the
suffering and agony and the terrible oppression of the
Kashmiris at the hands of occupying Indian forces. A few
token smiles and friendly words or two will never
compensate for the loss and tragedy India has inflicted
on the people of Kashmir.
Tahir Nawab Ghaznavi
New York
- In my opinion, Pakistan's
Chief Executive should visit India at his earliest. If
Germany can live in peace with her past, if both Koreas
are coming to grips with the past acrimonious
relationship, if US and China can do business without
jeopardizing either ideology, then why can't India and
Pakistan do business and live in peace.
Other than the religion, our color, dress, language, past
history, emotional make-up is all the same. Let us sit
together and talk about peace than war. Let us think of
our future
generations and start building a peaceful society now.
Zakaria Virk
Canada
- As a peace-loving British
Indian, I very much hope that both the leaders will show
maturity, sincerity, patience and genuine willingness to
narrow the differences which could lead to solutions of
all problems including Kashmir. One meeting will not and
cannot wipe out the history of the last 53 years.
Now, that the Indian Government has officially invited
General Musharraf for talks, the purpose to discontinue
the unsuccessful cease-fire and to carry out the military
exercises was to ensure that there is no misunderstanding
in Pakistan that India has invited the General.
The international community, led by the US, is applauding
New Delhi's invitation to Islamabad for talks. Both the
leaders should try to generate goodwill in each other's
country, without which there would be no compromises in
due course, as public opinions in both India and Pakistan
need to be educated and cultivated.
India and China have political differences and border
problems, but the business goes on for mutual benefit.
India and Pakistan should do the same thing.
Vipul Thakore
London
- Pakistan has to be very
careful and the leadership must take the nation into
confidence as well as insist upon the participation of
Kashmiri leaders in the forthcoming talks. India, in my
opinion, is not sincere and must not be allowed to drive
a wedge between Pakistan and Hurriyat. India has used
similar ploys in the past to weaken the Kashmiri
struggle, fool the world, and delay the just solution.
All India has to do is to comply with the UN resolutions
and fulfil its promise of letting Kashmiris decide their
future.
Muhammed Zahid
UK
- I would like to suggest to
General Musharraf to make sure that during the talks on
Kashmir, his fellow generals should not initiate another
Kargil misadventure.
Mahboob Ihsan
Islamabad
- Perhaps, this will be a
good summer vacation for Gen. Musharraf in India and he
can visit his birthplace. Beyond that, I really don't
foresee any improvements. The CE and Indian prime
minister will call for many ministerial talks and it will
be a never-ending story of agreeing on the agenda,
modalities etc. We have seen this happen before.
We just have to admit the stark reality that India will
not be ready to give up the Kashmir valley for anything,
no matter what the international pressure is. Similarly,
Gen. Musharraf cannot budge even an inch from his
"Kashmir or nothing" policy. The Jihadis and
their supporters in the army will not allow this to
happen. In fact, the General's fate will be the same as
Nawaz Sharif if he is seen to be soft.
Srinivasa Raghavan
India
- Though we welcome Mr.
Vajpayee's invitation to General Musharraf, Pakistan must
be cautious. It must not fall into any trap. It seems the
Indians are making a grand plan to permanently create
misunderstanding between Pakistan and the Kashmiris. By
sidelining the Mujahideen, the Indians are going to make
them feel small. By giving undue importance to General
Musharraf and Pakistan, the Indians are planning to make
the Mujahideen angry with Pakistan. That is the reason
why Indians have called the CEO and not the Kashmiris.
They may even go to the extent of handing over Kashmir to
the Pakistani control which will make the Kashmiris
totally unhappy and angry. It is, therefore, better for
Pakistan to have a preliminary talk with the Mujahideen
first before they attend the Delhi talks.
K. Sevuttu Payal Dastagir
India
- We, the minority community
of Pakistani welcome the of Indian prime minister’s
invitation to the chief executive of Pakistan. Due to the
differences between our two countries, the minority
communities of both sides are facing lot of problems and
difficulties, which is hampering progress.
It is a good sign for both India and Pakistan and we
would like General Musharraf to reply in a positive and
constructive way and seek an end to the violence.
Gyan Singh
NWFP
- I think General Musharraf
should not visit India because it is a trap set by India
to widen the gap between Pakistan and China. India is
despaired about the Chinese PM’s recent visit to
Pakistan. Now India is trying to create doubts in the
mind of China by inviting the CE to India. But, at this
time, the Pakistani leadership should try to comprehend
the situation and take steps for the betterment of the
nation by rejecting the present invitation to visit
India. We should avoid making friendship with India at
any cost due to our relations with China. Our preference
should be China as compared to India and America.
Idrees khan
Pakistan
- Mr. Vajpayee has once again
shown great statesmanship by expressing his desire for
peace. General Musharraf must reciprocate the same and
should visit Delhi for talks. All along, 53 years of
confrontation did not benefit anybody in India or
Pakistan. It only served the interests of certain
countries, who still have vested interests. Fifty-three
years of animosity has retarded the progress of both
India and Pakistan. Scores of people (innocent civilians,
military, militants, etc.) have been killed. Both the
countries have spent valuable resources in acquiring arms
and ammunition to destroy each other, rather than
spending on food, medicine, shelter, science and
education for their countrymen.
All these years, neither country could wrest from each
other their parts of Kashmir. In future too, the status
quo will remain. Hence, it is necessary that the
authorities in India and Pakistan behave in a mature and
responsible way by shunning the path of violence and
working for the overall development of their countrymen.
Somraj
India
- The Pakistan CE has
repeatedly offered bilateral talks with the PM of India.
Mr. Vajpayee has all along been maintaining that Kashmir
cannot be discussed. He has engaged in all sorts of red
herrings to avoid the core issue of Kashmir. The offers
of cease-fire, autonomy to Kashmir and Track -II
diplomacy have all been delaying tactics to gain time.
Time is on India's side as it is India who is the
usurper; it is sitting on "adverse possession."
Still having some space of maneuverability, Vajpayee has
decided to use the CE ‘card’, but to
the same conclusion and objective i.e. to gain some time.
By this technique, the Indian PM continues to retain the
initiative. The acceptance of General Musharraf's
condition may be some gain for Pakistan's stand but
certainly no victory on the Kashmir issue. The CE should
be ready for a "no progress" situation during
the proposed talks in News Delhi and he should only
discuss the Kashmir issue in solid terms.
There is likelihood of efforts coming out from the
opposite camp regarding long-drawn, time-consuming
preliminary workouts. We should avoid getting involved.
It will further serve our cause if the freedom fighters
in occupied Kashmir keep the heat on when the CE meets
the Indian PM.
Brig (Retd) A.Q. Anjum
Rawalpindi
- The visit of General
Musharraf to India will not bring about a final solution
of the Kashmir issue.
As some of your esteemed contributing columnists have
stated, Pakistan - in her relation to India - can either
aspire to be a Canada or a Mexico to the United States.
Since the Pakistan Army as well as the religious and
political leadership insist on being the equal to India,
I do not see any real progress in the direction of a
solution to the Kashmir issue. When has Canada or Mexico
wanted to be the equal of the United States? Will the
Chinese ever allow the Koreans to be their equal? Our
dear Pakistan has been the Lapdog of the United States
who dropped us at the most critical time. For all China's
promises, let us be very careful as even the Chinese will
drop us in favour of India if it is in China's national
interests to do so. What rights does a Lapdog have?
Pakistan is prepared to destroy itself in getting
Kashmir. The Indians with their larger economy can keep
going on and let Pakistan destroy itself. It is time to
note that Pakistan's exports are one-fourth India's -
thus Pakistan is in a much better condition - but due to
its mismanagement, it has a huge foreign debt of US$ 35
billion.
I am an Indian Muslim and I think that we must accept the
LoC as a final border and bring peace to the valley. By
doing so, India will be in a better position to agree to
the Iranian Gas Pipeline being routed via Pakistan. In
this way, Pakistan will be assured a Foreign Exchange
earning of US$ 15 Billion without having given anything
material in return.
We have to understand that in no way will the Buddhists
of Ladakh or the Hindus of Jammu join Pakistan when they
see that over 500,000 Hindus have been displaced from the
Kashmir Valley in the last ten years.
A. Jahangir
London
- The recent Indian
government's decision to invite General Musharraf for
talks to India is a very healthy and positive
development. It reflects change and better understanding
in the Indian attitude for a need to settle outstanding
issues with Pakistan through dialogue. This Indian
gesture has been long awaited by Pakistan, whose Chief
Executive repeatedly offered to open dialogue with India,
"anywhere and at anytime".
The critical concern here is how Pakistan, including
government and public, should interpret this Indian move
and can make the best out of it.
Before General Musharraf's visit to Delhi, Pakistan's
press, government and public need to clearly understand
the Indian position and act very sensibly. That is, one
should not see the Indian talks offer and calling off
India's unilateral cease-fire in the Kashmir as a mere
coincidence. Rather, it is a reflection and application
of the "Carrot and Stick Policy", and the very
arrest of the key APHC leader on his return from Pakistan
and his release after twenty-four hours is the very first
example of the Indian position on the Kashmir issue. This
Indian action shows that India being bigger and more
powerful holds the key to the resolution of the Kashmir
issue. Pakistan needs to react very carefully and look
for a response that can balance Pakistan's security
interests and its vision for peace in South Asia.
This is a very rare opportunity for the Pakistan side to
move in the direction of a meaningful dialogue with
India. Being fully aware of the Indian position, Pakistan
should not act before doing its critical home-task of
making a list of steps that can encourage India and
Pakistan to resolve the multi-layered issues between the
two states. The governments on the both sides should not
look for a quick fix to the old and complex issues;
rather, they should aim for building trust and
undermining cliches that continue to control the mindset
of the important actors on the both sides.
The recent Pak-India understanding to open and explore
business with each other is a critical aspect to note. It
reflects a strong desire on the part of the both the
Indian and Pakistani business community to open up trade
with one another.
The need of the time is that Islamabad and New Delhi
should not focus on one issue alone in talks, but the
whole range of issues from fishermen, smuggling, drugs,
travel etc, which should be included in the agenda as
well. Of course, this does not mean that the Kashmir
issue should be placed on the back burner. To solve such
a complex issue, both India and Pakistan should see
recent developments in the Indo-Pak relations as signs of
melting ice of hostility between the two neighbours.
General Musharraf, who himself was the first one to call
for a dialogue with India, stands at a critical point in
the history of Pakistan. There exists a unique
opportunity for a military person to be remembered as a
"Peacemaker" in the history of South Asia. How
that will be done, is a long-term process. But the one
who takes the first bold and courageous steps in this
direction will be placed in the history books as a hero.
Shabana Fayyaz
Islamabad
- The current international
system is undergoing great changes. Intractable conflicts
are giving way to reconciliation and resolution, with
talks and dialogues as the only option towards lasting
peace and stability. This current of the times throws up
residual, unresolved, long-standing conflicts in even
sharper relief. Historic enemies are embracing compromise
in order to put to rest lingering cold war legacies that
appear to have been overtaken by time and circumstances.
In this context, New Delhi’s invitation to Islamabad
for earliest talks can be regarded as another significant
event. This is so because of the recent tense environment
marred with pessimism, mistrust, and hostility between
the two belligerent neighbours.
This abrupt change in India’s attitude is
interesting from the point that leaders of both the
countries had adopted severe stands on the resumption of
dialogues. While Vajpayee had pledged ‘no talks with
Pakistan on Kashmir’, Musharraf had stressed that
‘no talks with India without the issue of
Kashmir’. Though the agenda of the proposed dialogue
is not known, it is time to wipe out the grievances,
misgivings and morbid streaks of the past to build trust
and carve out new frontiers. History has shown that talks
between the two countries are not productive due to
suspicion regarding each other’s intentions, thus
resulting in the formulation of policies devoid of basic
reasoning. But both have much troubled areas in their
bilateral equation to cover and many hatches to bury and
negotiation is the last resort.
The path to genuine reconciliation and rapprochement
remains ill defined and problematic, yet every journey
begins with the first step. Let us hope that the two
nuclear powers take steps in the direction according to
the aspirations of the Indians, Pakistanis and Kashmiris.
If Pakistan succeeds in involving India in a discussion
on the issue of Kashmir, it would indeed be another
feather in the General’s cap.
Amjad Ali
Islamabad
- The Government of India has
extended a formal invitation to General Musharraf for
talks on Kashmir. Some people are hoping that the talks
will lead to a peaceful solution of the dispute. Any
person who knows the character of our neighbour will say
that the talks will yield no result. We should not forget
that there were negotiations several times in the 1950's
and 1960's. All ended in failure. The same thing is going
to happen now.
The only way to settle the dispute is to allow the
Kashmiris to opt for India or Pakistan. Kashmiris will
never vote to join India and there is no possibility of
India agreeing to let plebiscite take place. One can say
with the greatest certainty that India will ask Pakistan
to recognize the present line of control as the
international border. By keeping the Kashmiris under
subjection, the Indians are satisfying their chauvinistic
feelings. The Indian military has been on the rampage in
the state and is not only killing, raping and burning but
also receiving appreciation from the government and the
public at large. When young men are killed and women are
raped, the criminals of the military are applauded as
national heroes. This is the thinking of the Hindus and
no one who knows their mentality will ever hope that
India will settle the problem by peaceful means.
Mukhtar Ali Naqvi
USA
- The Indian Prime
Minister’s decision to invite Pakistan’s Chief
Executive to India for talks should be viewed as a
positive step despite unsupportive circumstances
including: the ending of the unilateral cease-fire in
occupied Kashmir, action against the Mujahideen, arrest
of senior APHC leader Shiekh Abdul Aziz on his arrival at
Srinagar and talks of war with Pakistan (possibilities)
in the context of its show of power on our borders and
the biggest ever national security revamp.
The sudden change in the Indian approach may have been
due to pressure from America in view of the solidarity of
Pakistan-China relations. The chances of success of the
talks are, however, slim because India will try to once
again blame Pakistan for providing support to the
Mujahideen whom India labels as terrorists and
fundamentalists. India is not going to give up its
policy. The talk offer in the face of other Indian action
and statements do not sound sincere at least, even if it
is not a trap.
Iftikhar Ahmad
Pakistan
- Vajpayee’s offer of
talks to Musharraf is intriguing, to say the least. None
of the pre-conditions set by India for resumption of
talks have been met. The Mujahideen are as active as
ever; Pakistani support (to whatever extent) for the
freedom fighters continues; democracy has not been
restored in Pakistan. Then, why the sudden change of
heart?
The only plausible explanation can be that India believes
that Musharraf has changed. That he is no longer the
General who launched Kargil. He is not the same Chief
Executive who said that there can be no talks on any
other bilateral matters unless the Kashmir issue was
first resolved in accordance with the UN Security
Council’s resolutions.
There is no way that India is going to give away even a
small part of Kashmir at the negotiating table. It has,
and will, keep ‘exhausting’ Pakistan, keep
grinding away the will to fight in the new Pakistani
generations, keep diluting the Kashmir issue at the
International level till the 40,000 Kashmiri martyrs are
called ‘terrorists’ and not freedom fighters.
India would never gift away Kashmir to the Kashmiris, or
Pakistanis, through mere negotiations. Anyone who
believes to the contrary should have his head examined.
Then, why the unexpected invitation? Is it that Vajpayee
believes, or has been led to believe by his newfound
friends, that the rulers of Pakistan are ready to make
another deal in the best interest of the country?
Peace and friendship at the cost of the country’s
vital interests is not acceptable. The Kashmir issue is
not the center of the stage, but the very stage itself.
S. Najam
London
- Dr. Edward Teller once said
"there is so much more to peace than the absence of
war". If true goodwill exists between Pakistan and
India, both the people can benefit tremendously. However,
this needs to be a just peace. General Musharraf would do
well to heed the advice of one of America's founding
fathers, who said something like, "if we sacrifice a
little bit of our rights for a little bit of peace, in
the end we would loose both and deserve neither."
If India offers true peace we should respond to it
positively. If India wants war, we should respond in a
like manner. As Allama Iqbal said: "Guzar ja bun
kar sail-e-tund ro koh-e-biyaban say, Gulistan rah may
aaye to joo-e-naghma khwan ho ja".
As for our Kashmiri brothers, they seem to have already
learned that "nations are not destroyed by tyranny,
they are destroyed by the acceptance of tyranny."
Mustafa H. Rizvi
USA
- This is a long awaited
development that potentially can put a stop to the
ongoing bloodshed in the Indian subcontinent. By this
initiative, the Government of India is trying to regain
the momentum lost due to the Tahelka scandal and a failed
cease-fire initiative. General Musharraf now has an
invitation he has been asking for since he took over the
Pakistan government and thus has a chance to establish
himself as a courageous and visionary politician. He
changed the destiny of all those being terrorized by
political opportunists while sacrificing human resources
that can be better developed with marketable skills
needed to generate wealth.
Kishan Bhatia
USA
- The invitation to General
Musharraf by Vajpayee is a welcome event. The CE always
has expressed his desire to talk to the Indian PM at any
time, any place as stated in the print and other media
reports. Now, the ball is in the court of Pakistan. We
all are interested to see his sincerity and want him to
respond positively and in a constructive way to resolve
all issues, including ISI initiated activities in India
and cross border terrorism.
General Musharraf must openly declare that he will honour
all previous bilateral agreements and declarations and
extend his hand to cooperate for the sake of humanity. It
is not Kashmir, but is his attitude towards India and its
secularism policy, which is likely to get results. If
General Musharraf and his people want to live in peace
then this probably may be the only chance. His real
intentions are being put to the test now. He can destroy
the hopes and aspirations of all Pakistanis or be a hero
for his nation with making true sense of his words. But
if he becomes a tool of fundamentalists and tries to
consolidate his aspirations in Pakistan and achieve his
dream of Presidency, the talks are determined to fail.
Sawkar
USA
- Obviously, India has taken
these steps under international prompting. One should
remember that all major nations of the world including
China do not want to antagonize India, for reasons which
include India's size, democratic set up and human
resources. Lots of behind-the-scenes moves have resulted
in this positive outcome. This is a golden opportunity
(and perhaps the last chance) for Pakistan to win
international prestige. Pakistan should agree to the
talks and the Pakistani CE should go to New Delhi. This
is only a bi-partite parley and not a tripartite one.
Indians have been cautious in aiming for two bipartite
talks - one with Pakistan and the other with the
Kashmiris. Although, this development is only for opening
up talks, a final decision on the vexed Kashmir problem
is still to come.
N. Nageswaran
Australia
- Finally, Pakistan has
succeeded in receiving an invitation from India despite
repeated denials by India that Kashmir was not a disputed
territory. This change has happened due to the persistent
policy of General Pervez Musharraf’s regime on the
one hand and the change in American policies for this
region on the other. But credit certainly goes to the
military government for playing the Chinese card really
well, which has mounted pressure on the USA to pay heed
to this volatile region. Luck is favoring General
Musharraf following a change of administration in the US.
If Clinton had been in power, it would not have been
possible for Indians to come to the dialogue table. All
credit goes to the bold and candid policy of General
Musharraf. Hope the ice will melt soon.
Aftab Rizvi
Canada
- General Musharraf cannot
turn down the invitation from the Indian Prime Minister
because the former has been calling for a Pak-India
dialogue at any time, at any place and at any level.
The Musharraf-Vajpayee talks are not likely to break much
ice due to the cold relationship marked by decades of
mistrust, suspicion and conflict. The forthcoming
encounter between a military ruler and a democratic
leader may bring into focus the contradiction in
Musharraf's stand on Kashmir. With the constitution and
democratic process suspended in his own country, the
General's demand for the right of self-determination of
the people of Jammu and Kashmir may not carry the desired
weight, instead, it may amount to the amusement of his
counterparts in New Delhi.
Before going to New Delhi General Musharraf should meet
all political leaders including Benazir Bhutto and
announce a firm timetable for the restoration of civilian
rule. This exercise will strengthen his stand and his
credibility on Indo-Pak issues. The mismatch between a
political leader and a military strongman does not auger
well for the national interest of Pakistan in the post
cold war era. The General may wish to recall the wide
range of political consultations carried out by Zulfikar
Ali Bhutto before his historic visit to Simla. Bhutto
consequently made history by turning military defeat into
a diplomatic victory. A leader backed by the whole nation
is obviously not the same as the one who is lonely at the
top.
Anyhow, whether the proposed visit of the Chief Executive
succeeds or fails, it must be undertaken to try to reduce
tensions in the most volatile region of the world. If
General Musharraf can achieve any breakthrough on the
core issue of Kashmir, the money spent on his trip to
India will not be a loss to the poor taxpayer of this
debt-ridden country. Let us raise our hands and pray for
the success of this most intricate mission ever
undertaken by the four star General in his entire life
span. Amen!
B A Malik
Pakistan
- Though cynical, but not
without justification, Vajpayee's invitation to the CE,
most likely mollycoddled by the US, is no more than a
continuation of their 50-year old game of chicanery. Who
doesn't know that the outline of a just solution is only
encompassed in the UN resolutions? Because current
geopolitical realities born of many a 'national interest'
but oblivious of 'world interest', would not even as much
as draw India's attention to Article 33 of the UN
Charter, let alone consider definitive action under the
provisions of Chapter VII of the Charter. How can anyone
hope that this initiative will not be as abortive as the
many previous ones?
Our wisdom lies in pursuing the strategy of keeping the
issue actively alive in world forums focusing on UN
commitments, continue providing moral and diplomatic
support to the beleaguered Kashmiri people, consummately
concentrating on building national cohesion at home to
facilitate the birth of a strong pulsating economy and
patiently biding time for a 1962-like situation emerging
where India has no choice but to agree to a just
settlement. In historical perspective these things happen
all the time. Indeed, sooner than one thinks.
M.J. As’ ad
Pakistan
- The invitation from Mr.
Vajpayee is really a good sign for both Pakistan and
India. The relations of these important countries can
improve only by holding talks because we have lost all
our values by fighting with each other from the first day
of our independence.
General Musharraf should welcome the invitation and take
a bold step this time. In my opinion, Mr. Vajpayee is the
only personality who is taking interest in solving the
Kashmir issue and no doubt the credit will go to him only
if the issue is solved.
Amir Hussain
Pakistan
- As USA has labeled India a
global player and Pakistan a regional power, India
definitely needs Pakistan’s support to justify such
a status. The obvious reason for the USA’s is giving
bequest of global status to India is because it needs a
supporter for its missiles programme, as surely, Pakistan
will not be supporting the programme because of China.
This is the simple reason
behind India’s invitation. But, what we have to do
is to accept the invitation as a good omen yet bearing in
mind the possible tricks behind this invitation, in an
attempt to elicit favor from other nations.
Amir Murtaza
Pakistan
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