Sensing a strategic shift in the thinking among important stakeholders in both India and Pakistan, an India-Pakistan dialogue this week advocated military contact at the highest level to remove the distrust that has bogged down bilateral relations for over six decades.
Participants at the two-day dialogue organised by BALUSA— a joint initiative to improve bilateral relations— in collaboration with the Delhi-based Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation noted an attempt in both countries to shift from the animosity and mistrust of the past towards peace and friendship.
The two sides were also of the view that high-level contact between the intelligence agencies of the two countries would help counter terrorism. Advocating a bilateral dialogue on Afghanistan and related issues, the joint communiqué issued at the end of the interface noted that a visit to Pakistan by the Indian Prime Minister was long overdue and should be undertaken at the earliest. “In fact, frequent meetings between the Prime Ministers of both countries are necessary to foster better understanding and promote good relations. Such visits are the best CBMs [Confidence Building Measures] between the two countries.”
Pakistan's decision to grant the Most Favoured Nation status to India was welcomed, while New Delhi was asked to take early steps to remove non-tariff barriers. Other recommendations included liberalising the restrictive visa regime by doing away with city-specific and police reporting visas, and expanding economic interaction with primary focus on trade and investment to set the pace for unifying the region economically. In this regard, provision of transit facility was mooted to improve infrastructure.
Given that Kashmir is the biggest stumbling block to normalisation of relations, participants said that there should be a sustained discussion on Kashmir and all appropriate means for carrying the discussion forward should be utilised.
