Patience paying dividend

FAST pace diplomatic and other activities are going on in connection with Mumbai terror attacks but one thing is quite evident that Pakistan’s patience has started paying dividend with saner members of the international community urging India not to escalate the tension. What British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told rules in New Delhi during his just concluded visit of South Asia was logical outcome of the cynical approach adopted by the Indian Government but BJP sees it as the biggest diplomatic disaster in recent years.

Unlike about a dozen American officials that visited Islamabad since Mumbai tragedy, who adopted a clear pro-India posture and pressurized Pakistan in every respect, Mr Miliband spoke plain truth during his stay in New Delhi. He did not buy Indian propaganda that Pakistani State was in any way involved in the incident, favoured trial of suspects in Pakistan and underscored the need for addressing root causes of terrorism and in this connection called for resolution of the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. At the same time, he wanted Pakistan to carry out a fair and transparent trial of the suspects, which Islamabad has already committed. It was perhaps in this background that the Indian Foreign Minister openly acknowledged Pakistan’s right to hold trial on its own, a statement which he retracted the very next day ostensibly under pressure of the extremist Hindus who criticized his remarks. This flip-flop attitude has badly damaged India’s reputation and reflected lack of sobriety that is required to settle hot issues. India demonstrated similar approach to the possibility of war with Pakistan with both civilian and military leaders talking about ‘all options open’ but officially denying any preparations for war. As against this, Pakistan has, since the very beginning of the crisis, maintained that it was ready to cooperate in the investigations and if someone was found guilty he would be taken to task. Reiterating the same position during his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani pointed out that investigations into the incident have already begun and Pakistan would share findings with India. In fact, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called Indian High Commissioner to Foreign Office the same day and apprised him of the steps so far taken by Pakistan in this regard. This showed serious commitment of Pakistan to resolution of the problem through peaceful means and one hopes India would change its policy as well in the interest of regional peace and security.