After reading the review of Sakshi on Pakistan I too thought of writing a review on the same subject. This review is not to prove whether the people of India are good and Pakistan bad or vice versa but to bring forth some facts, which in my view have led to a hostile situation between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan Government has always misled the world regarding its involvement in Kashmir. It has always claimed that it is not in any way assisting the invaders. It is, however, clearly established now that these invaders are being looked after in Pakistan territory, Pakistan government both military & civil is providing them with food, shelter, arms etc. India has always been willing to discuss all issues, including the issue of Jammu & Kashmir, with Pakistan. In fact, in the ‘50s and ‘60s, several rounds of bilateral discussions took place between India and Pakistan to resolve the differences over Kashmir. These discussions failed only because of Pakistan’s intractable and unrealistic approach.
1965 War
Pakistan tried to impose a military solution on J&K in 1965, by instigating a war against India. The people of J&K resisted this. Pakistan rendered obsolete and dead the resolutions of 1948 and 1949, in the context of which the Cease-Fire Line had been established through the Karachi Agreement of 1949.
Simla Agreement
Pakistan imposed yet another war on India in 1971. After this Simla Agreement was signed in 1972. While India is prepared to resolve all differences with Pakistan through bilateral talks as stated in the Simla Agreement, but for meaningful bilateral negotiations, Pakistan must create the right climate by stopping its support to terrorism.
The Lahore visit
Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee took an initiative and visited Lahore in 1999 (Lahore Declaration). The objective of the visit was to convey India’s deep desire to establish peaceful, co-operative and friendly ties with Pakistan. Prime Minister Vajpayee proclaimed that a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan was in India’s interest. The Lahore Declaration, which committed the two countries to build trust and confidence and develop mutually beneficial co-operation to resolve outstanding issues including J&K through bilateral negotiations, provided a blue print for India-Pakistan relations.
Kargil
However, just after the Lahore Declaration, the Pakistani Army manifested its compulsive hostility towards India by launching a military operation in May 1999 across LOC. Its aim was to create a situation by which Pakistan would dominate the strategically important Kargil heights. India’s firm response forced Pakistani troops to retreat to their side of LOC.
Agra Summit
Inspite of this in 2001 India again took the initiative to establish a high level political dialogue with Pakistan by inviting General Musharraf to visit India. The Pakistani President General Musharraf visited India and had talks with Prime Minister Vajpayee in Agra. However, during the Summit, Pakistan fixated entirely on one question and sought to make any improvement in relations conditional on prior resolution of the Kashmir issue. Pakistan was also reluctant to address India’s concerns relating to cross border terrorism. The hopes of forward movement in bilateral relations thus remained largely unattained.
The One-Day Cricket Match
Indian Prime Minister emphasized that India was willing to take steps to bring the people living on the two sides of the Line of Control closer, including opening cross-LoC trade and transport links. Following proposals were put forth
a) Set up a joint business council to improve trade
b) Launch a rail link between the Indian state of Rajasthan and the Pakistani province of Sindh by December
c) Release 156 fishermen being held in Indian jails
d) Hand over any people who may stray across the line of control in Kashmir
We still have to see whether we will be
deceived or not
Pakistan’s Support to Terrorism
Pakistan’s support to cross border terrorism against India is now openly acknowledged by the international community. “A number of terrorist organisations-including Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen have been at the forefront of violent activity in the region. President Musharraf had made two promises. Firstly, that Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used to promote terrorism anywhere in the world. Secondly, that no organisation will be allowed to indulge in terrorism in the name of Kashmir.
Kashmir- An Internal Matter for India
Government of India has always expressed its willingness to resolve the J&K issue peacefully However, Pakistan sponsored terrorists have terrorised the population and hindered political dialogue. Terrorists have killed innocent people of J&K. Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India. India cannot compromise on its unity and integrity.
JAI HIND