IT is said that “light gains make a heavy purse” but it has not proven true so far in the case of Kashmir dispute. Many efforts to resolve the dispute for the past six decades have gone in vain. The fourth round of joint dialogue between India and Pakistan has been claimed to bring out some reassuring signs. In fact, talks between India and Pakistan have always been vital. After every dialogue, both countries announce new modalities which see an increase in people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and developed communication links. But, things go back to square one once tasks fizzle out without making any headway. Fringe issues are discussed and even ironed out, but the core problem remains as it is. “I am going back with a sense of satisfaction.” This was the typical statement of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, like his predecessors' comments after such meetings. His recent mission to Pakistan had three important objectives: to assess the political environment in the country, establish understanding with the new government, and find out if the civilian leaders share the commitment for the peace process that India had constructed with President Pervez Musharraf. Both sides restated their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and re-emphasized the need to uproot this menace. Hence, this visit by Pranab Mukherjee was very significant to regain the trust following the sad incident of the May 14 terror attack in Jaipur, in which groups based outside India were suspected of carrying out explosions that killed 66 people. But this visit yielded no breakthrough on the Kashmir dispute or on border issues. Mukherjee pointed out that India and China had been able to take giant strides in their economic ties without resolving their boundary issue. Hence, Delhi and Islamabad could advance in some areas of their relationship without addressing more difficult issues. Indeed, it is very true that one issue should not hang up at the cost of the other, but it sounds strange how the two countries can pursue peace without practically brining peace to its borders. The mutual suspicions result partly from the continuing mistrust and partly from the lack of transparency in policies. Although it's the diplomatic compulsion that the dialogue must go on, it seems to be quite futile since an atmosphere of peace requires making the dialogues more than just a routine exercise. The most contentious issue between India and Pakistan is the Kashmir dispute. There is a need for an early and durable settlement of the dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people, and by involving them in the dialogue process. They had high hopes from the four-year-long talk process. If these hopes get smashed, they can restart their violent struggle for freedom. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistani minister of external affairs, hinted at looking for other options by stating that Pakistan was open to “innovative ideas” on resolving the Kashmir issue when asked whether the government remained committed to the four-point approach suggested by President Pervez Musharraf. He also said that Pakistan was ready for a “grand reconciliation” with India. Although he gave no details about it, it was a clear indication that Pakistan was ready to show flexibility on some issues that had been damaging their relations and delaying progress in talks, if India reciprocated. The relations between the two countries have witnessed a lot of improvement in the last four years when India was dealing with the Musharraf regime. But with the author of that earlier commitment now voted out of power, the new government will wish to draw up its own agenda with the Indian government and try to get the credit. However, it is the people of both the countries who have realized that peace is the need of the hour. Both countries understand that they have plenty of resource in realms of energy, water and food. Only if they pool their resources and cut down the defense budgets and spend those funds on these vital projects, they can really turn this section of the planet into a prosperous haven. The mistrust of 60 years cannot be undone overnight but it can happen if the peace process proceeds on the right and sensible paths. India and Pakistan have a long way to go before resolving major disputes, from the trickiest one over Kashmir to the less knotty ones like Sir Creek. There is a need to be more focused on the core issue. __
