The Hindu : Much more needed for improving ties: Shivshankar Menon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 17, 2003

International

International - India & World

Much more needed for improving ties: Shivshankar Menon

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD JULY 16. India's High Commissioner-designate to Pakistan, Shivshankar Menon, said today that while there have been positive developments in the quest for improvement in relations between India and Pakistan so far, "clearly we need to do much more''. In an informal talk with the two Indian correspondents based here, Mr. Menon, who took charge at the Indian Mission this morning, said that Islamabad and New Delhi needed to work together. However, he did not wish to elaborate on the further steps needed to accelerate the pace process on the ground that it was too early for him to talk of specifics.

The new envoy said it would be his endeavour to work towards enhancing people-to-people contact and hinted at a more liberal visa regime from the Indian side. "I would try and meet as many people as possible from different walks of life. Of course, we would have extensive interaction with the Foreign Office as well," he said in response to a question.

Mr. Menon said he was happy at the reception and courtesies extended by Pakistan Government from the moment he crossed the Wagah border. He made it a point to mention that he was escorted all the way from the border to Islamabad by a convoy of Pakistan Rangers and Punjab Police.

The difficulties faced by Pakistani civilians in obtaining visas and ways and means to minimise them appear to be on the top of the immediate agenda of Mr. Menon. Within hours after he walked into the Indian Mission, he made it a point to visit the Visa section and have a brief chat with the crowd, which had thronged the mission in the hope of getting a visa.

Mr. Menon is scheduled to formally call on the Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Riaz Khokar, tomorrow. Of course, it is expected not to be anything more than a courtesy call as Mr. Menon would officially start functioning as the High Commissioner after presenting his credentials to the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf. The credential presentation ceremony is expected to take place before the month-end.

Mr. Menon said that he was looking forward to working for the promotion of ``good, constructive and peaceful'' relations between the two countries. He reiterated that "peace is definitely possible between the two countries.''

It was nearly after a gap of 19 months that the High Commissioner's chair in the Indian Mission was occupied and with that the status of the Mission stands elevated to that of the High Commission. The last High Commissioner, Vijay K. Nambiar, was recalled by New Delhi on December 26, 2001 in the wake of the December 13, 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament House.

Mr. Menon would have a hectic time ahead of him as he has to reorganise the Indian Mission, which has been badly affected on account of the deterioration of relations between the neighbours. After the Parliament attack, the strength of the missions was halved. It was further reduced twice. From the effective strength of 110 each, now the strength of the staff in the missions is down to 45 on both sides. Vacancies that arose during the period of tension have not been filled up.

The Pakistan Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, has proposed restoration of the original strength. However, India has so far not responded to the suggestion.

Mr. Menon has indicated that this will be one of the subjects on the agenda of both the countries.

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