Recently the PCA Stadium in Mohali provided a perfect stage to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take forward his initiative for peace with Pakistan. It is a matter of both elation and relief that the momentous Indo-Pak battle in the semi-finals of the cricket World Cup in Mohali has ended with the spirit of sportsmanship triumphing over jingoism and crass show of malice. India may have won the titanic battle on the ground but both on and off the field it was bonhomie and goodwill all the way.
In political terms, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s initiative in inviting his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani seemed to have paid off though it would be folly to get swayed away too much. While the role of the Pakistani establishment in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks understandably continues to be a source of concern and bringing to book the real masterminds of the attack must remain our insistence, the resumption of dialogue between the two neighbours could hardly have waited indefinitely.
Indian Prime Minister’s call for “permanent reconciliation to live together in dignity and honour” at the dinner hosted by him for Gilani was appropriate as an expression of intent. But while the dialogue must be pressed forward, India can ill afford to lower its guard. Sporting and cultural ties between the two nations must be promoted, however, regardless of the pace at which the political reconciliation process proceeds. If cricket is a way to bring the peoples of the two countries closer, let there be more bilateral matches so that the spirit of cricket pervades the atmosphere.
But even as they sat at the dinner table in the stadium itself, the Indian PM was, however, quick to remind Gilani that there was need to create an atmosphere free of violence and terrorism for truly realising the goal of normal ties between the two South Asian neighbours. Gilani fully shared the view expressed by Singh.
“We should put our ancient animosities behind to attend to the problems of our two nations. We have the will to persevere; we have the will to overcome. We should be working together to find cooperative solutions. We need permanent reconciliation to live together in dignity and honour,” he said in his brief speech at the dinner. At the dinner table, the two PMs were joined by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Pakistan minister of state for foreign affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and top aides. Briefing reporters, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, however, made it clear that there was no dilution in India’s stand that the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks must be brought to justice by Pakistan.
“There is no question of setting aside or brushing under the carpet the Mumbai incidents…we took it up at the home secretary-level meeting too.” It was very important to conduct a speedy trial of the seven people lodged in Pakistani jails for their involvement in the Mumbai attacks. She said the two PMs had ‘a very wide-ranging conversation’ against the backdrop of the sporting event. The two PMs also spoke about such exchanges between the two countries in other areas as well. The Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman have asked their Pakistani counterparts to send a Parliamentary delegation to India.
India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said: “The dialogue process has been set in motion. The home secretaries have concluded their meeting yesterday, the commerce secretaries will meet in Islamabad in April…their meetings will be followed by talks between surveyor-generals and defence secretaries. The foreign secretaries will meet towards the middle of the year, followed by a meeting between the foreign ministers in July.” Gilani, who expressed the hope that his visit would yield a positive outcome, invited Singh to visit Pakistan. Asked if the Indian PM accepted the invite, Rao said “I am sure this will need to be discussed and finalised through diplomatic channels.”
When pressed further to specify the issues that came up, Rao said “I think what came across was that we are two neighbours and have to engage with each other directly in order to tackled challenges and exploit opportunities in various fields.” Earlier, Gilani arrived on his first visit to India as PM, accompanied by a nearly 50-strong delegation. He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Communication Sachin Pilot and Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik, among others. After taking rest at the Taj for some time, the 58-year-old leader proceeded to the Mohali stadium to watch the match. “As far as our relations are concerned, I am happy that our talks have resumed. The talks between the Interior Secretaries were conducted in a positive manner. I appreciate that,” Gilani said before boarding his Pakistan Air Force flight to India. “The idea behind my visit to Mohali is to promote cricket and friendship with India,” Gilani said.
How far the Prime Minister’s Mohali initiative to have talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will take the two countries along the peace track remains to be seen, but statesmen who pursue a vision that is in the larger interest of the people can ultimately succeed and prove the usual skeptics wrong.
The world has not been able to abolish wars, and conflicts among nations. But several wars and conflicts have been prevented by leaders with a vision. They did make history of a different kind in their own quiet ways. There is no choice for India and Pakistan, but to go on talking to each other until they are able to settle for durable peace, irrespective of the issues involved. Patience is the name of the game.
– By Shweta Kumar
