Author: SK Shah
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: July 6, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/267295/Twin-cause-for-futile-parleys.html
This refers to the article "Dialogue
of the deaf" (July 1). Reciprocity is a sine qua non for successful diplomacy
but when it comes to Pakistan this principle is frequently forgotten.
The fidayeen attacks in Mumbai on November
26, 2008 brought about a sea change in India's attitude towards Pakistan.
As Home Minister, Mr P Chidambaram is a stickler for procedure and, going
by the book, has submitted several dossiers to the neighbour demonstrating
how the attack was planned on Pakistani soil. Pakistan, of course, has rehected
the corroborative evidence and continues to be in denial, especially on Hafiz
Sayeed's role in 26/11.
Despite perennial hostility peppered with
venomous outpourings and prevarications, India agreed to hold Foreign Secretary-level
talks and, subsequently, Home Minister-level talks with Pakistan. This caused
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to remark: "India, which
had broken off the composite dialogue process and spoken of severing contacts
with Pakistan, has come to us and sought talks."
Contradictions persist between Pakistan's
rhetoric and actions. Its conduct has been egregious. Only the naïve
and ignorant expect results from an effort that is not sincere. Therefore,
Ms Ganguly has rightly said that to hold talks with Pakistan is like having
a dialogue with the deaf.
By virtue of being a terrorist state, Pakistan
has earned pariah status in the global community. Pakistan's belligerence
stems from the aid in terms of funds and arms and ammunition it receives from
the US, ostensibly is to fight the Taliban. China's support to Pakistan to
stockpile its arsenal is another source of encouragement for its anti-India
activities. China's vested interest lies in keeping India on tenterhooks and
putting a spike in India's rising global graph. Beijing's aggressive posturing
today has become possible owing to the US's decline as a global superpower
and the simultaneous economic gains made by China, writes Ms Ganguly. And
due to these two factors in play, normalisation of relations between the two
countries remains a pipe dream.
