Pakistan India relations – Choosing between trade and Kashmir

Pakistan and India, the two neighbours and the arch rivals have decided to prefer tables over battles. After the terror attacks in Mumbai and on the Indian Parliament, the relation between the two countries had revived its traditional hostility. However, it seems there is a realization on both sides that dividends lied there in friendship, or at least in less hostile relations, rather than enmity.

Recently, after the Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit to India, Pakistan has decided to grant its eastern neighbour the MFN status. The decision, apparently, has observed a positive impact on both sides. However, there are sections on both sides of the borders that have rather skeptical views about their government’s moves in apparently peaceful directions.

In Pakistan, the government’s decision is being analyzed at three different levels – the right wing political parties, the business community and the common public. While the business community will definitely be happy over boosting business ties with a country offering a large market, the right wing political parties who grant a considerable space to Kashmir issue in their political agendas and manifestos will certainly not be happy with the move as to them, no relation with India be made and kept unless it grants freedom to the people of Indian occupied Kashmir.

As far common people are concerned, they are coming up with a mixed response. Although none of them is ready to put the Kashmir issue on the back burner, many of them are in favour of boosting friendly ties with India and promoting people to people contacts between the two countries. To them, a less hostile or friendly relation will develop the environment which will allow both sides of the people to go for a give and take settlement.

As far the present incumbent’s recent move to develop ties with India are concerned, the people also have concerns over the way their government is just giving in before India on the issues like Baglihar Dam, which is aimed at leaving Pakistan a thirsty and starved land. Having said this, If the ruling alliance chooses to go for friendly ties with India without compromising on its principle stands, there are hopes that its moves will be supported among the masses.

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Posted by Fayyaz Yaseen on Oct 27 2011. Filed under Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry