Zardari-Singh meeting

The sidelines of international conferences are hardly the venues to clinch issues and sort out bilateral problems confronting the interlocutors' countries. But they do stir hopes for some movement forward on contentious issues - of course not much wiser from their past experience. That's what has exactly happened in the wake of President Zardari's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the margins of NAM conference in Tehran. Their meeting was also eagerly awaited in Pakistan only to be disappointed.
For them as to what stands in the way of Indian leadership to make reciprocal visits remains an enigma. Our leaders have had made many visits to India - some formal some informal, never missing the chance to invite Dr Singh. During his pilgrimage to Ajmer Sharif in April, President Zardari met him in New Delhi and invited him for a visit, which could have been also an opportunity for the latter to go to his birthplace in Chakwal. But, as then that Manmohan Singh would be happy to come to Pakistan at an 'appropriate time' his acceptance of the latest invitation is also contingent upon Pakistan speedy trial of the accused in the Mumbai carnage. For his visit to materialise 'expeditious conclusion of Mumbai terror attack trial would be a major confidence-building measure in bilateral relations', President Zardari was told. As if speedy trial of alleged terrorists was such an easy task; Pakistani authorities are earnestly engaged in the matter but it would take time as there can be no corner-cutting to win desired court verdicts. India by itself took more than a decade to bring to book the culprits involved in the massacre of Muslims of Gujarat and has yet to punish the Samjhota Express attackers, which happened earlier than Mumbai incident. No wonder New Delhi is living up to its game of putting the imperative of serious engagement with Pakistan on the backburner by anchoring it to the Mumbai case.
This is all the more duplicitous when beautifully juxtaposed against Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna's discovery of Pakistan having a "positive mind ... after they (Pakistanis) have reconciled over several sensitive issues". In inter-state relations peace talks progress in invariably predicted-upon basis of sovereign equality. They barter their stated positions in return for equal and reciprocal gains. India doesn't seem to be in that mood and mode. For instance, in June when all related concerns had been met and an agreement on Siachen was ready for signing, India propped up demand for authentication of present troop positions and demarcation of Actual Ground Position Line. But seemed prepared to give up on this demand should Pakistan first sign a deal on Sir Creek. That's certainly not a 'positive mind' on India's part.
The confidence-building measures India expects to be put in place got to be the joint product; expecting the exercise to Pakistan's responsibility only smacks of a hegemonic mindset. No doubt the vast chasm of distrust and mutual suspicion that besets the Pakistan-India relationship frustrating the much need for peaceful coexistence cannot be abridged just by a visit by Dr Manmohan Singh. And that's nobody's expectation here also. But it can certainly indicate the direction in which the wind is blowing. What that "lot of ground" the two countries have jointly covered President Zardari must be knowing better and we need to be informed of also, but the snail-paced movement in matters as undisputed as bilateral trade is hardly fits the definition of that 'lot of ground'. By opening doors on Pakistani industrials is as much the need of India as ours. Deeply concerned over a sharp decline in direct foreign investment India is opening its doors on all and sundry, it is no special concession to Pakistanis who are shifting abroad their businesses and investment fearing continuing insecure environments. We expect Indian leadership to give lie to the perception that in present conditions obtaining in Pakistan it sees no pressure or incentive to settle bilateral disputes - a reluctance perhaps accentuated by Manmohan Singh's own troubles at home.