INDIA's new coalition government led by Congress is already showing indications that it will deliver the hopes voters had pinned on it. Any political analyst will say that Indians voted for stability and progress, against communal and divisive politics. One of the key issues for greater stability in the country is how relationship is maintained with neighboring Pakistan. Harmony and peace in the sub-continent cannot be achieved with hostility and animosity between the two nuclear-armed states. The new foreign minister's approach is laudable. Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna said, “We stand ready to extend our hand of friendship and partnership to Pakistan.” The much-needed call for peace is great reassurance for Pakistan from its estranged neighbor at a time when the country is fighting insurgency and terrorism. In the present scenario, terrorism seems to be the main obstacle toward normalization of relations and the foreign minister has stressed on Pakistan to exert all efforts toward eradicating it. “They should take determined and credible action to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism operating from their territory that has been the stumbling block,” he said soon after he was named to the post. Pakistan has already shown its determination to fight terrorism as manifested in its war against the Taleban in Swat. Both countries stand to gain substantially from each other if they join together and solve their disputes. But that won't happen unless the two countries chose cooperation over conflict and dialogue over discord. Definitely India and Pakistan have a long way to go in achieving that and a long way always starts with a small step. __
