Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has stated that India-Pakistan relations are at an all-time low, urging for dialogue to resolve disputes. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities for peace and referenced past instances of diplomatic thawing. Journalist Ashis Ray suggests cultural exchanges and cricket diplomacy as means to improve relations.
Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has characterized the current state of India-Pakistan relations as one of the most challenging periods in history, except during active conflict. He emphasized that dialogue remains the essential avenue for resolving longstanding issues between the two nations. Kasuri spoke at an event organized by the Institute of Peace and Connectivity, entitled ‘Pakistan-India Relations – Current Situation and the Way Forward,’ where he advocated for peace negotiations.
Kasuri lamented that after experiencing historical conflicts, Pakistan and India traditionally returned to the negotiation table. He urged both nations to seize the opportunity to resolve disputes peacefully, referencing a previously proposed four-point formula on the Jammu and Kashmir issue from former President Pervez Musharraf.
With experience working under both the BJP and Congress governments, Kasuri is optimistic, asserting that a silent majority of the populace in India desires peace with Pakistan, despite prevailing tensions. He noted instances when relations improved unexpectedly, such as President Musharraf’s visit to New Delhi and Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 2015.
Kasuri mentioned reports of a potential visit by Prime Minister Modi to Pakistan in April 2021 for a pilgrimage, illustrating the unpredictable nature of diplomatic relations. He suggested that geopolitical changes since President Trump’s election could open new avenues for India-Pakistan relations.
He also expressed concern regarding the socio-economic consequences of ongoing tensions, noting that both nations suffer from widespread poverty. Kasuri stressed the importance of continuous dialogue to address outstanding issues and cautioned against the perils of terrorism in disrupting relations.
Journalist Ashis Ray, who spoke at the same event, proposed leveraging cricket diplomacy and cultural exchanges to foster a thaw in relations. He urged the initiation of constructive dialogue without delay, asserting, “If ice can break between the US and Russia, why not between India and Pakistan?”
In summary, the discourse surrounding India-Pakistan relations, as presented by former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, underscores the urgency of dialogue in mitigating ongoing tensions. Despite categorizing the current relations as severely strained, Kasuri remains hopeful for positive developments, citing past instances of unexpected diplomatic progress. The emphasis on cultural exchanges and cricket diplomacy, as suggested by Ashis Ray, presents a potential pathway towards improved relations. Overall, a concerted effort toward constructive engagement is deemed essential for resolving historical disputes and fostering peace.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
