Pakistan’s decision to begin the trial of 26/11 suspects starting Monday has given the United Progressive Alliance government a chance to revive talks.
Ahead of prime minister Manmohan Singh’s meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh later this week, there seems to be a concerted effort to lift the clouds from over India-Pakistan ties, which have been stormy since the terror attacks in Mumbai last November.
Pakistan’s decision to begin the trial of 26/11 suspects starting Monday has given the United Progressive Alliance government a chance to revive talks without offending sentiments here.
But despite the overtures, opinion is divided over resumption of peace talks with Pakistan. The trust deficit remains intact, with some analysts questioning the purpose of discussion when after every round there is a terror attack.
The other view suggests that there are many Pakistans and India should engage with those sections who want to live in peace. It is important to build bridges with these sections and ensure they have a stake in peace with India. Increasing trade with Pakistan is one way of engagement. “Engagement is the only answer for societies as complex as India and Pakistan,” said analyst C Uday Bhaskar.
There are many within the Indian establishment who are wary of resuming composite talks, which Pakistan desperately wants. They feel it is not the right time and any discussion with Islamabad should be focused on terror directed against India.
“Talking to Pakistan is fine; in fact, our lines of communication were never blocked. But this is not the time to restart formal composite dialogue,” said retired bureaucrat Naresh Chandra.
“Talks with Pakistan should centre on terror groups operating against India. We should relentlessly continue to pursue action against these anti-India outfits, and only when we see results on the ground, should we move forward,’’ Chandra, a former ambassador to Washington said. His advice to the government was to begin talks on terror; involve the Inter-Services Intelligence, but don’t hope for much.
Like Chandra, many feel India and Pakistan are being egged on to restart dialogue by the United States and the international community. “We need to be clearly focussed on national interests and not be bullied. The PM should talk only when and if he thinks the talks will yield results,’’ he added.
The three rounds of composite dialogue with Pakistan have little to show on major issues, though people-to-people contacts were enhanced and trade figures went up.
Pakistan’s announcement on Saturday, that the trial of Mumbai terror suspect Zaki-ur-Rehman of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and four other accused could begin next week, has given the prime minister the opportunity he needs to begin engagement with Pakistan.
“Our investigations into the incident are almost complete,” interior minister Rehman Malik said after a meeting with Indian high commissioner Sharat Sabharwal on Saturday. “Five of the nine suspects have been arrested and their trial will commence probably next week,” he said.
“We were very serious about the probe and we have successfully completed the investigation against the five accused of the Mumbai terror attacks.” He said details of the investigation would be submitted to India when Gilani met Singh in Egypt.
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