It is a pity that Mr Pervez Musharraf’s radical plan to reform Pakistan’s state and society is not matched by an equally far-reaching plan to make peace with India. Although the Pakistan president’s speech did address many of the issues that have caused deep concern to India in the recent past, it is unlikely that Mr Musharraf’s words alone will lead to a rapid de-escalation of the tension that has gripped south Asia over the past few weeks. India will need more than just a promise of better behaviour from Pakistan. And Islamabad needs to translate Mr Musharraf’s words into concrete action if it wants to reintroduce a modicum of civility and stability into its relations with India. It is now clear that the top leadership of Pakistan has realized that the real danger to its survival is not as much from external threats as it is from forces of extremism and obscurantism within the country. The danger that Pakistan could become a failed state or a “nuclear Somalia”, with warlords and terrorist groups fighting each other, may still not have been averted, but recognition of a threat is the first step towards recovery. If indeed Mr Musharraf succeeds in converting Pakistan into a liberal modern nation-state, at peace with itself, it will be a force of stability in the region and beyond.
India, like other countries, can
only welcome this change. There are three other specific issues that may
well contribute to a thawing of India-Pakistan relations. The Pakistan
president made it clear that no individual or organisation would be allowed
to indulge in acts of terrorism in the name of Kashmir, and that stern
action would be taken against any Pakistani found guilty of perpetuating
terrorism outside the country. Mr Musharraf also announced a ban on both
the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad. These are believed to have
been responsible for the attacks on the Indian Parliament on December 13,
and had — so far — been operating more or less freely within Pakistan.
And even on the list of the 20 wanted persons sought by India, Mr Musharraf
seemed to show some flexibility. Although he ruled out handing over any
Pakistanis on the list, he signalled that action could be taken against
Indian nationals on the list. However, despite these noteworthy gestures,
given the experience of the past, India will not be easily convinced that
there is a fundamental shift in Islamabad’s policy towards New Delhi. Mr
Musharraf did not demonstrate the slightest flexibility over Kashmir, nor
did he call for a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to all violence in
the valley and beyond. The only real test of Mr Musharraf’s intentions,
therefore, will be on the ground. If indeed there is an end to infiltration
across the border and acts of terrorism, New Delhi must generously respond
to Pakistan’s offer of a dialogue.