Sometimes I wish my life had a erase/rewind button

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Pakistan Crises - An opportunity for peace?

"A crises is a terrible thing to waste". Pakistan as we all know is in deep crises. Reports indicate that the Pakistani army positions on Indian border is at its lowest level ever . Pakistan state is battling the hydra headed monster of fanaticism it so carefully cultivated as a matter of state and to an extent social policy, and from the looks of it, the fight is not very favorable to the state at the moment.
My estimate in around 2004 was that Pakistan in its current form may not survive till 2050. It seems I was too sanguine about its longevity. But can we in India really feel happy about it? Paradoxically for India, it may be our best interest to ensure that a state that keeps hatred for India as its raison de etre, survives as a state. Do we really want to govern NWFP on our own. Given our own problems with Minorities do we want to add to it? Do we want to be fighting this monsters on the Hindukush range on our own?
My guess would be not. So how can we help Pakistan survive. If we offer support directly, the social conditioning of the nation will ensure that the Jehadis get more popular support! My take would be - offer a deal to the Pakistani army. In return for lower deployment of troops on Pakistan's eastern border, India reduces its troops on India's western border. That will give a much needed rest to the Indian Army. At the same time, strengthen civil policing in the border states, especially J&K. As the example of Punjab shows a determined, well training civil police can tackle insurgency better. Army is a sledgehammer - indispensables to break down iron but not very fine to chisel. We will also lower our own operational costs due to troops reduction.
Concentrate on purging the ISI cells in India while the Pakistani state battles on its western border. My own experience is the Indian and Pakistanis are very friendly to each other in foreign streets. There is a genuine warmth in our social interactions. But when it comes to the same people in subcontinent, daggers are drawn. A large portion of blame must be taken to the cultural conditioning that ingrains hatred of India in average Pakistani. The school textbooks there perpetuate the same litany. Pakistan will do well to realize that hatred always comes back to haunt those who profess by it. As a part of lowering of tensions with India- which they must if Pakistani army is to survive the current crises, such institutional hatred needs to be gotten rid of.
India meanwhile can contribute by offering better trade terms to Pakistan. Both our countries are large agricultural producers. There is no reason why we cannot trade to mutual advantage. Once trade links are better average Pakistani will get to cultivate a more friendly image of India. Peace in the reason can transform our nations. But will we take the opportunity?

No comments: