Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Discusses Current India-Pakistan Relations
Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri describes the current state of India-Pakistan relations as one of the worst historically, excluding wartime. He emphasizes dialogue as essential for resolving disputes, particularly regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Kasuri expresses optimism for future positive changes despite existing hostility, citing historical diplomatic shifts. Ashis Ray suggests cricket diplomacy and cultural exchanges as means to improve relations, promoting immediate constructive dialogue.
Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has indicated that India-Pakistan relations are currently at an all-time low, historically speaking, aside from actual conflicts. However, he believes that positive fluctuations in bilateral relations are possible. During an event titled ‘Pakistan-India Relations – Current Situation and the Way Forward,’ organized by the Institute of Peace and Connectivity (IPAC), he emphasized that ongoing dialogue is essential for resolving disputes between the two nations.
Kasuri regrets that both countries may squander opportunities for pacific resolutions, especially when a consensus exists—referring to a previously suggested four-point formula regarding the Jammu and Kashmir issue proposed by former President Pervez Musharraf. He highlighted that despite previous hostilities, Pakistan and India historically resumed peace talks relatively quickly.
Having served as foreign minister from 2002 to 2007, Kasuri remarked that he has engaged with both BJP and Congress-led governments in India. He expressed confidence that a significant portion of the Indian population aspires for peace with Pakistan, despite the current adversities.
Drawing from his experiences, he noted that relations between Pakistan and India can experience sudden positive changes. He recounted instances of unexpected diplomatic gestures, such as President Musharraf’s warm reception in New Delhi following the Kargil conflict and Prime Minister Modi’s surprise visit to Lahore in 2015.
Kasuri also referenced reports of a planned visit by PM Modi to Pakistan in April 2021, aiming to reignite dialogue, which suggests future positive surprises are within the realm of possibility. He attributed enduring poverty in both nations to prolonged tensions since independence and posited that their collective socio-economic progress has lagged compared to other regions like China and ASEAN nations.
The former minister reiterated that dialogue is paramount to overcoming outstanding issues. He warned that terrorism remains a potential obstacle to mending ties. Concurrently, journalist Ashis Ray opined on employing cricket diplomacy and cultural exchanges as mechanisms for thawing relations. He advocated for immediate constructive dialogue, drawing a parallel with the thaw in US-Russia relations.
In conclusion, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri underscores the critical need for dialogue to improve India-Pakistan relations, which are at a historical low. He expresses hope for sudden positive shifts and highlights the importance of addressing shared challenges such as poverty and terrorism. Both Kasuri and Ashis Ray advocate for utilizing cultural diplomacy to foster better bilateral ties, reinforcing the notion that despite prevailing tensions, the desire for peace remains strong within their societies.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
