Islamabad, Nov 14 (IANS): India and Pakistan need to do much more than resuming the dialogue process to improve bilateral ties, a leading Pakistani daily said Thursday.
“If those who chase peace and coexistence as an ideal are to appear in a better light than the official negotiators on either side, they will have to do much more than simply be satisfied with these resumption reruns,” Dawn stated in an editorial headlined 'Same tired rhythm: Pakistan-India ties'.
Commenting on the recent India visit of Sartaj Aziz, adviser on foreign affairs to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, it said: “New Delhi sugarcoated its advice to 'colleagues from across the border' regarding a meeting between Mr. Aziz and leaders of India-held Kashmir’s Hurriyat Conference that has generated controversy in India”.
“That’s about all. There was a ceremonial call by the Pakistani delegation on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” the editorial said.
Referring to a statement made by Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid that the recent dialogue between the two sides was not something that happens in isolation but was a dialogue that was conceptual, it said: “Originally meant to serve as calculated criticism of the Pakistani envoy’s meeting with the Hurriyat, this statement from Mr Khurshid is tempting enough to be used in support of an inclusive process. And can there be inclusiveness without the Kashmiris?”
It also questioned as to how the government of Prime Minister intended to balance pro-bilateral trade views with the Kashmir issue.
“As for solutions, the sum of this latest engagement is an overdose of old diplomatic lingo that leaves the jury confused about the verdict,” the ditorial observed.
“Those inclined to take this lingo at face value point out two prominent factors impeding movement on progress. One, Mr Aziz was touring India after weeks of an uneasy situation along the Pakistan-India borders. And two, there was a feeling that, with a general election due in India soon, the Congress government was not fully empowered to negotiate with Pakistan.”
It said this “old approach has to change for officials and politicians on either side to commit more strongly to the peace effort”.
“For how long will these statements of positive intent suffice? This latest review of 'bilateral relations in a constrictive and forward-looking manner' is something we are all too used to accepting as a sign of development.”
Conceding that dialogue was a forward-looking and constructive options and the only choice, it, however, said that much more needed to be by those who seek peace and co-existence.