Indo-Pak dialogue

Though, goodwill gestures like resumption of direct bus service has been in sight, India, on its part, continues to press on cross border terrorism to be eliminated. Though the officials keep insisting that cross border terrorism should not be a barrier, but to our mind, it definitely is. We feel that Pakistan should sincerely pursue the commitment it made internationally that it would do its best to eliminate border infiltration. Lack of progress in that area seems to be putting a blockade on the process. India wants concrete evidence before the talks can begin. On the other hand, we also agree with Pakistan when they say that it would be humanly impossible to guard 750-kilometre long border at all times. Their claim of not instigating terrorism against India doesn't seem to be convincing enough for the latter. We think if the talks are contingent on such conditions, then it will never take place.

If both the countries continue to remain stubborn on the issue, then they would keep talking 'at' each other instead of talking 'to' each other. They can't ignore people's expectation for peace to prevail between the two neighbours that have already fought three wars. It's not just the citizens of their countries, people in other countries of South Asia have also been waiting with baited breath to witness long awaited 'peace' in the region. Let the issue of border infiltration be left with an international body to monitor while India and Pakistan can make real progress to bring in the region what is most needed now -- peace.

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