BHARATIYA Janata Party (BJP), while in opposition, used to take a hard line toward everything concerning Pakistan. So when BJP came to power on its own in India for the first time last year, everybody feared a sudden deterioration in India's relations with its most important neighbor. But to the surprise of everybody and to the consternation of some of his followers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to attend his inaugural in May 2014. This raised hopes of a new beginning in the relations between the estranged neighbors. But in less than two months after the bonhomie in New Delhi, things were back to “normal”. Armies of the two nations began to trade gunfire along the Kashmir border. Border clashes reached a level higher than anything seen since both countries almost went to war in 2001-2002. So everybody was relieved to learn of a rare meeting on July 10 between Modi and Sharif in the Russian city of Ufa. Modi will also attend a regional summit to be held in Islamabad next year. This was seen as an important breakthrough. Last year, India had canceled talks between foreign secretaries of both countries after the Pakistan envoy in New Delhi talked to Kashmiri separatists days before the dialogue. Unfortunately, history is repeating itself. Now India and Pakistan are accusing each other of cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir. Wednesday's firing left several people dead on both sides. Pakistan also claims shooting down an Indian surveillance drone on its side of Kashmir though New Delhi has rejected the allegation. Although border is tense, both sides are taking steps to prevent the situation spiraling out of control. This means that national security advisers of India and Pakistan will meet in New Delhi soon to discuss all issues including terrorism as the two leaders announced in a statement issued after the Ufa meeting. They have also decided to arrange meetings of senior military officials to reduce tension along the border. The priority at the moment should be to stabilize the border. Fortunately, a ceasefire agreed in 2003 remains in place. The two countries have to devise a mechanism to stop unprovoked firing along the disputed border. This will ensure that border incursions that sour relations on a daily basis don't lead to a wider conflagration. The decision to make the security advisers meet might help check such incursions. Both Modi and Sharif have also to ensure that they or those who work under them don't make needlessly provocative statements. For example, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a junior minister, said recently that the Indian Army's recent cross-border attack against insurgents in Myanmar was a warning to Pakistan. Not to be outdone, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif threatened the use of nuclear weapons against India if his country's survival was in danger. Such incendiary rhetoric and calls for revenge would only strengthen the hands of warmongers and ultra-nationalists on both sides. India and Pakistan had already fought three full-scale wars over Kashmir. Even if there is no chance of a shooting war, defense will continue to claim a large chunk of scarce resources in both countries. This means that crucial sectors like social welfare, education and health will be starved of funds. Instead of indulging in acrimonious debates, both countries should think of steps such as opening up their market unconditionally to each other's goods and services, encouraging joint ventures in IT, banking and power sector. Also needed are a liberal visa regime that dismantles existing restrictions such as city-specific short-term visas, promoting tourism and cultural and educational exchanges. Such confidence-building measures will pave the way for settlement of all contentious issues including Kashmir. Pakistan should realize it can never achieve strategic parity with India. At the same time, New Delhi should recognize that Pakistan is not the only neighbor that feels a sense of disquiet over India's size and growing power.
