In the wake of recent diplomatic breakthroughs, it has become clear that countries are quickly realising that the only realistic path towards sustained economic and political development as well as for the progress and prosperity of nations is through mutual reconciliation. Long-time foes Iran and Saudi Arabia have taken that route, and Turkey has reached out to Egypt and Syria with whom it was in a tangle of tension since the Arab Spring.
A time comes in the life of every nation when people realise that it does not pay to harp upon regressive, fossilised and anachronistic viewpoints on territorial disputes. Such an attitude only causes instability and misery to the masses. Countries eventually fall victim to their own whims and delusions as they refuse to face the ground practicalities. The attitude is twice as illogical and harmful in the fast-changing, technological and economic environment of today.
Considering our hapless country’s grim situation, which is undergoing massive political and economic upheaval for nearly a decade now with no respite in sight, I am afraid a bitter harvest will have to be reaped if some out-of-the-box initiative towards reconciliation with our neighbours is not kicked off on a most urgent basis.
The United Nations (UN), the United States, the European Union (EU), China and Russia would do well to intervene and hammer out the differences between Pakistan and India in the larger interest of the world. The two nuclear-armed neighbours need to start living in peace and harmony, much to the benefit of coming generations across the globe.
Realistically speaking, territorial disputes have been existing between countries for centuries, and they do exist currently, say, between China and India, China and Japan, Russia and Japan, Spain and Morocco, etc. However, in no such instance, a country’s political and economic progress is held hostage to the lingering disputes. Nothing should be allowed to come in the way of a nation’s economic progress.
The multi-talented millions of Pakistan and India can only learn and benefit from each other’s prowess. They have gigantic trade and media potential, among other fields. As a first step at least, low-hanging fruits can be availed of, like normalisation of trade and tourism, followed by exchange of actors and sportsmen and related goodwill, positive measures.
The recent speech of India’s deputy high commissioner in front of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) can be a good start in this direction from where relevant quarters can take it forward.
It is needless to say that a real, lasting peace in the subcontinent should be the cherished goal of the global community.
UMAR M MAKHDUMI
KARACHI
