Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former Pakistan foreign minister, describes India-Pakistan relations as at an all-time low, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue for resolution. He points to historical precedents of sudden positive shifts and recalls potential future engagements. He calls attention to pervasive poverty in both nations and suggests cricket diplomacy and cultural exchanges might help improve relations.
Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has characterized the current state of India-Pakistan relations as among the lowest in history, save for periods of active conflict. Speaking at the event ‘Pakistan-India Relations – Current Situation and the Way Forward,’ organized by the Institute of Peace and Connectivity (IPAC), he emphasized that dialogue is essential for resolving outstanding disputes between the two nations.
Kasuri remarked that historically, even following wars, Pakistan and India have sought to return to the negotiation table to pursue peace. He lamented the missed opportunity for peaceful resolution of conflicts, particularly regarding the Jammu and Kashmir issue, which he indicated could be addressed through a four-point formula proposed by former President Pervez Musharraf.
Having served as foreign minister from 2002 to 2007, Kasuri noted his experiences under both BJP and Congress governments. He expressed confidence that despite the current hostilities, the majority of Indian citizens desire peaceful relations with Pakistan.
He underscored the potential for sudden improvements in bilateral relations, recalling instances where political leaders, once seen as adversaries, later engaged positively. For instance, President Musharraf, associated with the Kargil conflict, was later welcomed in New Delhi, and Prime Minister Modi had previously reached out to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a surprise meeting.
Kasuri referenced potential future engagements, mentioning reports about PM Modi’s planned visit to Pakistan in April 2021, aimed at rekindling the peace dialogue. He highlighted significant geopolitical shifts under President Trump’s administration, which could provide a path for enhanced Pakistan-India relations.
He noted the persistent poverty in both countries, suggesting that this ongoing tension has contributed to their lag behind other nations in development. Kasuri reiterated that ongoing dialogue is the most viable solution to their issues while also acknowledging terrorism as a potential destabilizing factor in relations.
Another speaker, Ashis Ray, a journalist and author, advocated for using cricket diplomacy and cultural exchanges to thaw relations between Islamabad and New Delhi. He urged immediate constructive dialogue, querying why the ice could not break between these two nations as it did with the US and Russia.
In summary, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri presents a critical perspective on the current state of India-Pakistan relations, indicating it is among the most challenging periods historically. He advocates for dialogue as the primary means to resolve conflicts, particularly regarding Kashmir, and underscores the possibility of unexpected positive shifts based on past interactions between leaders. Additionally, suggestions from other commentators to utilize cultural diplomacy could pave the way for thawing these strained relations, emphasizing that both nations stand to benefit from dialogue and collaboration.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
