Bengaluru's civic society on Wednesday inserted itself, probably for the first time in history, in the delicate India-Pakistan equation, as it hosted and engaged Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in a dialogue, albeit a benign one to begin with.
Mr. Basit — who will be in the city until Saturday — touched upon improving trade, economy and civic engagement between the neighbours in his talk organised by the thinktank Bangalore International Centre and Takshashila Institution.
‘J&K remains the
core dispute’
"Whether one likes it or not, Jammu and Kashmir remains the core dispute between our two countries and does not allow mutual hostilities to go away. It may take many years to find a mutually acceptable solution. Meanwhile, other issues could be taken up as the vast majority on either side wants only peace," Mr. Basit told a select gathering of about 50 citizens.
He termed his visit to Bengaluru — which could easily be the first by a Pakistan envoy — very important and capable of generating fresh ideas far removed from New Delhi's deep-rooted prejudices of six decades.
‘Want peace in Afghanistan’
Pakistan genuinely wants violence to come to an end on the other side, in Afghanistan. He admitted that for his country, Kabul is the most important capital where peace must be established after 35 years of violence.
With India, "We are ready to engage with sincerity and seriousness of purpose, but India as a big country has more responsibility [in this] on its shoulders." Pakistan also should not be treated with condescension but with mutual interest and respect.
The time has come to make use of the relatively conducive environment, when democracy has been sustaining in his country, he said.
To a query on how Pakistan viewed the Jamat ud Dawa Mr. Basit described it as a largely philanthropic outfit. “Yet, we have concerns and we are watching closely. It would be proscribed if any reason was found,” he said.
Dawood Ibrahim, he maintained, is not in his country; "Even your government is not sure about his whereabouts."
Pakistan, he said, has been misunderstood as a nation, it has been grappling with many challenges such as poverty, illiteracy and health issues.
Mr. Basit spoke of revamping SAARC, which will hold its 19th summit next year in Pakistan, and worries over trouble in Balochistan.
Historian Ramchandra Guha moderated the interaction, which had Bengaluru-based figures Aakar Patel and Narayan Ramachandran speaking on their experience with Pakistan.
Mr. Basit is slated to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday to discuss building links with Karnataka, and later address college students.
