Peace in South Asia, an elusive dream?

It has become kind of a familiar pattern now. Pakistan extends unconditional offers of peace to India only to receive a harsh rebuke. One highlight of PTI’s first 100 days in power is that Prime Minister Khan twice vowed to take two steps towards peace if India takes one and twice Modi government rejected the advance without providing any convincing logic. This does not bode well for a region having immense potential but marred by political infighting and overblown geostrategic concerns.

Both countries have grievances and security concerns with each other which only seems natural considering the history of military conflicts between them. But as PM Khan said that both nations will have to get out of the shackles of past and look towards the future, a peaceful and prosperous future. Both countries not only share the memories of tumultuous past but face similar problems like overpopulation, terrorism and climate change.

No one can ignore the geopolitical realities or mutual distrust between these South Asian giants, but confidence building measures are the only way forward. Opening of Kartarpur corridor is one such example and goes a long way in showing that small but symbolic gestures could serve as parallel diplomatic channels towards peace. People-to-people contact is a significant way to ease tensions and pave the way for further political and military contacts.

But if this is to be achieved, India must do away with its rigid anti-Pakistan stance and do its part. Pakistan has never shied away from bilateral talks despite blatant Indian attempts to cause instability in Balochistan or repeated terror attacks, foiled attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi being a recent example. It has become evident that there was no truth in alleged hawkish stance of Pak Army and both civil and military leaders are on same page regarding resumption of bilateral dialogue with India.