India vociferously wants both countries to enter into meaningful, result-oriented dialogue

Whatever the agenda, and intentions apart, India vociferously wants both countries to enter into meaningful and result-oriented dialogue, instead of getting frozen in time. India and Pakistan need to talk and talk to each other to find solution to the many irritants that have distanced them, and pitted both against each other in a hostile manner, resulting in wars and media bashing, which have not done any good to them.
Instead of fostering peace, harmony and love, the angry neighbours more often than not promoted and encouraged elements which do not want relations to normalise. Strained relations are not in the interest of both India and Pakistan. This is the crux of the conclusion that could be drawn following the week-long visit to India (January 22-29) at the invitation of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Senior Pakistani journalists were invited for an orientation exercise that took them to Agra and Bombay, besides having interaction with officials, ministers and senior Indian media men and women in New Delhi.
Soft spoken Mrs Nirupama Rao, Secretary, External Affairs, during the briefing session that Pakistani journalists had with her in her office, appeared candid in stressing that there exists information gap between the two countries, which must be bridged, and in this effort media has to play its role. Besides the core issues, there are many more areas of interaction which require dialogue and communications, she said, adding that "expectations must be sober."
"Our approach is to move forward in trade and commerce," she said. As a matter of fact, these two areas were hammered by other officials as well, as they thought that this would "unlock the process that had got clogged." Nirupama Rao's emphasis throughout the hour-long briefing had been on 'dialogue between the two countries which should not be impeded'. "We have to start on the journey, and assure that India is not shying away."
She, however, made it clear that "threats of terrorism must be mitigated, "as we have serious concerns on this issue". This would help things to move faster, as there are many processes involve,d and many a bridge to cross, she added. The Indian External Affairs Secretary assured: "We cannot turn our backs on 180 million people. We are endeavouring to remove roadblocks that are hindering improvement of friendly relations between the two countries."
On the issue of relaxing visa restrictions to facilitate people travelling between the two countries, she said that it would take time as "we have security concerns and the looming trust deficit, which could recede if relations are improved." Nirupama Rao admitted: "Your government is working under difficult situation. If you surrender to extremists and forces of doom, it would be bad not only for Pakistan but India, too. It is the question of your survival."
On the question of India blocking water to Pakistan, she assured that India does not have enmity towards Pakistan. Waters are distributed according to the Indus Waters Treaty, she said. In the end her message was that "India wants a democratic, stable and economically growing Pakistan."
On arrival in New Delhi on January 22, the Pakistani journalists had an orientation briefing by Prakash Gupta, and the following day, a day trip was arranged to Agra to visit Taj Mahal, built in the loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal by the great Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in fulfillment of her desire. The monument stands on the right bank of River Jumna. A symbol of love, sincerity and promise that the Emperor had given to his dying wife, which now brings millions of rupees to the Government of India from tourists, Indians and foreigners who throng the place the year round.
A briefing-cum-interaction session was held on January 24 with Vishnu Prakash, Joint Secretary, External Publicity Division and Y K Sinha, Joint Secretary, PAI, where both officials occupying senior positions explained India's stance on various issues confronting India and Pakistan relations. Naturally, they put forward the Indian view, and took questions to elaborate their country's position - more or less the same which Nirupama Rao had explained.
On the same day an interaction session was arranged with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a think tank with M Rasgotra, President, Saeed Naqvi, fellow, and Wilson John, senior fellow and Vice-President of ORF. Naqvi described the situation as "very confusing," which according to him was due to the war in Afghanistan. Naqvi is well known for his views which many think are "biased" and heavily tilted. This was reflected in his opening remarks, ie, "international situation in Pakistan is such that people here think that it would be futile to engage in any sort of discussion at this time." "Afghan war is impacting negative images on you. There is lot of instability in Pakistan and the army has the veto. I do not think civil government has any hold. So far you are involved in war in Afghanistan, extremism will grow." This is how he expressed himself.
On being confronted by the delegation members, perforce he had to say: "We want, united, strong and stable Pakistan. We do not want Pakistan to go down the drain." He questioned: who would like to derail peace process between the two countries?
A scintillating performance, lecture-cum-demonstration by young Kathak dancer Ms Namrata Pamnani at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations was the high point in the day's engagements. The young performer is an economist, and had to leave for China for a show, but obliged the organisers to perform exclusively for Pakistani media delegation for over an hour to the delight of the audience.
A call on India's Home Minister P Chidambaram in the North Block of External Affairs Ministry was due next day but had to be postponed because of his other official engagements. Instead, a luncheon meeting was arranged with the Editors and senior media people where both sides exchanged views on the post-partition problems. Both highlighted the irritants that come in the way of removing distrust that continues to keep the two countries apart.
Pakistani media men also visited offices of daily Indian Express, where they had a lively discussion with its Executive Editor and his colleagues who explained the working of the newspaper and its policy. The journalists work without any fear or favour in line with the policy of the newspaper, which is totally independent. "We ensure that we have investigate stories daily on Page One." He took pride in the fact that Indian Express was ahead of others in this area, and pointed out that the recent scandal in which an Indian General was found involved was first reported by Indian Express. The young reporter who had brought that scoop was also present during the interaction. On January 26, Pakistani media men were taken to witness the Republic Day parade where Indonesian President was the chief guest.
On January 27, the delegation flew to Mumbai where the first engagement was a visit to Film City where Managing Director, Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Limited, Managing Director Shyam Tagade explained the working of Film City spread over 500 acres of lush green lawns for the people to fulfil all creative aspirations.
Situated only 15 minutes away from the airport, Film City offers 40 enchanting domestic locations and 16 air-conditioned studios with 2,000,000 sq ft of carpet space. Permanent locations include a helipad, an artificial lake, a temple, a church and a court house. Though the hosts had made best efforts to invite one of the 'Khans' for a session with us due to their preoccupations the efforts did not materialise. We were, however, taken to various locations where sets were being erected for shooting of various films and serials.
Next day, an interactive session was held with the Chairman & Managing Director, Export Import Bank of India, (Exim Bank) T C A Ranganathan and other senior officials of the Bank in the library/conference room of the Bank. It is really unfortunate that whereas our politicians and bureaucrats are all the time engaged in petty things, India is concentrating in establishing institutions, and Exim Bank is one of the finest examples.
Exim Bank General Manager S Srinivas, who handled the presentation, said that the Bank is a wholly government-owned financial institution, set up for the purpose of financing, facilitating and promoting India's trade. The Bank commenced operations on March 1, 1982. Its mission is to facilitate globalisation of Indian business.
The Bank is quite unique in its global and national network of institutional and professional linkages. Its seven overseas offices--at Addis Ababa, Dakar, Dubai, Durban, London, Singapore and Washington DC--have forged strategic institutional linkages for the Bank with multilateral agencies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, export credit agencies, trade and investment promotion agencies abroad, and trade and industry associations in India.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is another institution which contributes a major share in India's economic development. He FICCI devotes its attentions towards resolution of the problems of its member organisations and not of individual businessmen. The institution provides a lot of feedback to the government about the state of affairs of Indian economy and how best to take it forward. Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had assured Pakistani media delegation during the session he had with them that India has come out of the animosity mindset which must be forgotten, and a way forward be carved for the posterity to remember the positive gains.
He has said it; let us wait for the results.