Indo-Pak Joint Statement

Indo-Pak joint statement has become the main point of discussion in Indian media last week. Though, main opposition party is still walking out of the parliament on this issue, our leaders actually spent lesser time discussing this issue than debating "the ban on some TV shows".

Talking to Pakistan on all issues including Kashmir is welcome step and we Indian always support that but from my point of view, one of the major disappointment of this joint statement is timing. We are still to see any concrete steps taken by Pakistan government for punishing all the accused of 26/11.

Not only is the timing wrong, the government agreed to exclude the terrorism from the bilateral talks. Indian Foreign policy is always of consensus whether the govt is of Congress, BJP, Left or any other party.This is the first time when government has to see opposition from other parties for foreign policy. I remember Agra Summit failed in 2001 because of India's persistence on the clause that Pakistan will not use its land against India for any terrorism. Pakistan got the diplomatic victory in this joint statement when they agreed India to give intelligence support on the Baluchistan unrest (which is their internal problem).This definitely show that India has some thing to do with it.

There is no problem in the Indian intentions as those were in last 50 years but Pakistan has the history of the most untrustworthy towards India. India has got severe pain in Kargil war and one of the reason for Kargil was trusting Pakistan when India started Bus Yatra in March that year.

India have one more problem with Pakistan, they do not have reliable establishment which can really talk and change the ground reality. They are going towards becoming a failed state and no democratic government has lasted long there. They have parliament, President, Army and ISI.Government is talking to Prime minister and President of Pakistan, they may need to start it again if Army take over the country in next 6 months.

India has released the diplomatic pressure after signing this statement which it put on the Pakistan after 26/11 attack through diplomatic channels and international community. One recent example of Pakistan back stepping is release of Hafiz Saeed, who is the main accused of 26/11 in spite of Indian Home minister’s reiterate that India had handed over enough proof against him.

India really does have a little value addition in talking to Pakistan in terms of export or commerce related issue but I support talking to them in terms of getting them in to main stream in terms of relations between two countries instead of making Anti-India rhetoric.

Before getting with them on board, we need to see them punishing the persons involved in 26/11 and taking some concrete steps in dismantling the terror camps in the Punjab and Kashmir. After Prime Minister’s statement in parliament “ India has not diluted its stand”, I hope Indian government will not resume talk to Pakistan in spite of the signing the joint declaration at least at highest level until India would achieve something from Pakistan in war against terrorism.