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| India-Pakistan |
| Grow Up, General |
| 2006-01-10 |
| Editorial from the Times of India New Delhi has rightly rejected General Musharraf's offer to ensure peace in the Valley if three towns there are demilitarised. The general's proposition is utterly cynical even while confirming the perception that violence in the Valley is the handiwork of Islamabad. Musharraf may well have been compelled by domestic reasons to bring Kashmir back to centrestage. Besides the regrouping of Islamic fundamentalists, Islamabad is also facing the threat of secessionism in Baluchistan. New Delhi's caution against state repression there recently has ruffled Islamabad. There are sufficient reasons to assume that the general has floated his new 'peace' deal to influence political debate at home and to provoke New Delhi rather than to address the concerns of Kashmiris. Such showmanship is bad diplomacy. It will neither improve relations between India and Pakistan nor the situation in the Valley. The general has a penchant for posturing irrespective of whether it helps to further the cause of peace. This was largely responsible for wrecking the Agra talks in 2001. The current statement could stiffen New Delhi and adversely affect the reduction of troops in the Valley. If the general is genuinely interested in peace, he should refrain from shooting from the lip and leave negotiations to diplomats. It is perfectly legitimate on the part of New Delhi to describe Musharraf's remarks as a challenge to India's sovereign rights. But the Centre should not shy away from phasing out troops in the Valley. Unlike Musharraf, who has sought demi-litarisation of Srinagar, Kupwara and Baramulla, New Delhi's concern has to be the whole of Jammu and Kashmir. Political outfits, from the PDP to the Hurriyat Conference, have been vocal about demilitarisation and rightly so. However, they should be careful not to endorse the general's suggestion of peace at gunpoint. Groups like the Hurriyat should realise that their politics has to gain momentum and an agenda outside the ambit of Islamabad. Externally sponsored campaigns can hardly transform a society or achieve democratic rights. It is also important to distinguish between diplomatic posturing and genuine support for rights. But the most important realisation must be that the road to peace can be walked without the gun. |
| Posted by:john |