Misgivings can only be ironed out at the negotiation table. Dialogue is the best way to deal with any form of distrust. Differences can be overcome if there is a will to do so. So it was a welcome move on the part of India to offer talks with its neighbor Pakistan, which accepted the proposal. The first step has been taken. Foreign secretaries of both countries will meet in New Delhi on Feb. 25. Pakistan wants a composite dialogue; India has not released an agenda but wants terrorism to be on the discussion table. The two countries have much at stake for the common good of their people, who share a lot in common. So the important thing here is to build trust based on the commonality of interests instead of harping on things that are divisive. Once the ball gets rolling, all issues of concern should be tackled and discussed. But at present it is important to meet without any baggage of mistrust. The fact that India has offered to resume dialogue after the deadly Mumbai attack of 2008 proves that it wants to move beyond the blame-game. In turn, Pakistan accepted the offer, proving its willingness to promote peace in the region. In recent months, the two countries have taken some practical steps in the direction of peace. Pakistan has moved an estimated 100,000 troops west for its campaigns against the Taliban in Swat and South Waziristan; India has removed about 30,000 troops from the border. The thawing of ties augurs well for the region, because the two countries hold the key to peace in South Asia. That is why the United Sates is also eager to see India and Pakistan at the negotiation table so as to formulate a strategy on fighting militancy and terrorism in Afghanistan. “We have always encouraged dialogue between Pakistan and India,” State Department spokesman Philip J Crowley is reported to have said. Anyone hoping to see a tangible outcome from the proposed talks will be disappointed, because the purpose here is to break the ice. And the two countries have already succeeded in doing so by agreeing to meet later this month. __
