Talks before talks

I am delighted to report that the Indo-Pak talks before the Indo-Pak talks are shaping famously. This is largely because of a refreshingly open attitude towards each other and a new commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region that both sides are bringing to this important process of dialoguing. If things go on this way, peace should break out in this troubled corner of the world much quicker than anticipated. My estimate is that this development — that we are all looking forward to so that ordinary people of both countries can stop manufacturing bombs and get on with their lives — should occur at about the time when our great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren are old enough to operate their first mobile space stations — circa, AD 3001, if not a tad earlier.

To capture some of the fast-paced movement on the peace front, I’ve taken the trouble to monitor an estimated 20 million soundbites which have emanated from both sides of the border since the Indian prime minister officially invited the Pakistani chief executive to visit India and talk about peace some time in late-May.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan thanks India for the invitation. It wants to remind India that it has always sought peace and it will do its utmost to persuade its large neighbour to do its utmost to overcome the legacy of distrust with which it has come to regard its neighbours, especially the one to its west. We therefore look forward to talking on all issues of the Kashmir problem, keeping in mind the UN general assembly resolutions.

INDIA: We look forward to a constructive engagement on all matters concerning the two countries in a spirit of true friendship, a friendship which has been irreparably damaged by Pakistan’s attempts to wage a proxy war with India. Nevertheless India looks forward to engaging with Pakistan on all issues of common interest, including on how cross-border terrorism can be ended.

PAKISTAN: Both countries have a number of unresolved issues that need to be discussed in a statesmanlike manner but we know the biggest unresolved issue of all is the issue of Kashmir, which is the biggest unfinished agenda of Partition and therefore requires a flexible approach on the part of India in recognising the just demands of the Kashmiri people for a plebiscite in the context of the UN resolutions.

INDIA: Both countries have a number of unresolved issues that need to be discussed in a statesmanlike manner. It is hoped that both countries will bring maturity and understanding to this dialogue process so that it is understood against the historical events that led to Kashmir coming to be regarded as an inalienable part of the Indian union, as per a resolution passed by the Indian Parliament.

PAKISTAN: It is time to emerge from the time-warp of five decades and for both countries to apply themselves to finding a peaceful solution to Kashmir by recognising that the only way forward is to submit to the logic of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.

INDIA: It is time to emerge from the time-warp of 50 years and for both nations to apply themselves to recognising the obvious fact that Jammu and Kashmir are an integral and inviolable part of India, according to the treaty of accession signed by its former ruler.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan looks forward to constructive dialogue with India on all issues,especially the issue of Kashmir, and hopes that both countries will be discussing the status of Kashmir in the forthcoming summit.

INDIA: India looks forward to constructive dialogue with Pakistan on all issues, especially the issue of POK, or that part of Kashmir which is presently occupied by Pakistan, and hopes that both countries will be discussing its status.

PAKISTAN: Both countries, it is hoped, will tone down its pre-meet rhetoric.

INDIA: Both countries, it is hoped, will tone down its pre-meet rhetoric.

PAKISTAN: Kashmir, plebiscite, UN resolutions, Kashmir, plebiscite, UN resolutions, Kashmir, plebiscite, UN resolutions...

INDIA: Kashmir, integral part of India, Kashmir, integral part of India, Kashmir, integral part of India, Kashmir, integral part of India...

PAKISTAN: Kashmir, plebiscite, UN resolutions, Kashmir, plebiscite, UN resolutions, Kashmir, plebiscite, UN resolutions...

INDIA: Kashmir, integral part of India, Kashmir, integral part of India, Kashmir, integral part of India, Kashmir, integral part of India...

PAKISTAN: Your piece of Kashmir is my piece of Kashmir, your piece of Kashmir is my piece of Kashmir...

INDIA: Your piece of Kashmir is my piece of Kashmir, your piece of Kashmir is my piece of Kashmir, your piece of Kashmir is my piece of Kashmir...

As you can see, the pre-talks piece talks are progressing very well indeed.
Now watch this space for more action on the peace front.

Earlier Columns