A broad spectrum of decision makers and opinion builders in India as well as Pakistan have hailed with cautious optimism the two governments decision to resume the stalled dialogue to resolve all issues of mutual concern with a view to normalising their strained relations.
The official announcements in New Delhi and Islamabad that the two foreign secretaries will meet here on March 28 for official talks has been widely greeted as a positive step with politicians, academics, intellectuals and commentators proposing a variety of recipes to keep the dialogue going.
These include suggestions to tackle the sensitive Kashmir issue, the Siachen glacier, opening up of trade and easing of the visa regime.
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There seems to be a near consensus on both sides about the need to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue through peaceful negotiations rather than use of force. The views are, however, extremely divergent on its methodology, but a positive and constructive approach is clearly evident on both sides on all other issues of mutual concern.
Although the decision makers both in India and Pakistan have been complimented for taking positive initiatives for the talks to resume, the atmosphere in New Delhi and in Islamabad is far from euphoric. Cautious optimism is the watch word on both sides.
There is, however, an expectation that the dialogue will not remain a mere rhetoric, but without lowering ones guards.
Following are excerpts from the views expressed by a cross section:
President S D Sharma: With Pakistan we are committed to ending confrontation and establishing a harmonious relationship and durable peace as provided for in the Shimla agreement. India believes that fostering people-to-people contacts and promoting trade and economic links would contribute to reducing tension.
Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda: Kashmir is not on agenda for any bilateral talks with Pakistan. Kashmir chapter is closed. I am willing to discuss all other issues, trade ties, socio-cultral relations and cordial relations with Pakistan. Four days later, however, he said we are ready and willing to have wide-ranging comprehensive talks on all issues of mutual concern.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif: I want to have close friendly relations with India. But outstanding issues including the Kashmir question, which have marred Indo-Pak relations, have to be resolved. Due to existing unenviable Indo-Pak relations, peace in the region is threatened. I am a strong advocate of improvement of mutual relations and believe that very strong, bold and objective initatives should be taken to put an end to hostilities by resolving the Kashmir issue.
External affairs minister I K Gujral: I look forward to working with you (his counterpart) in developing a relationship of trust, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Pak foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan: Reciprocating Gujrals hope of a relationship of trust between the two countries, I, too, hope something positive will emerge from the talks.
Leader of the opposition and senior BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpaee: We can have good neighbourly relations with Pakistan only if the new regime takes earnest steps to restrain the ISI from fomenting trouble in our country.
Defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav: There will be no deviation from the consnsus-policy on Kashmir.
Pakistan army chief Jehangir Karamat: Unless the core issue of Kashmir is settled amicable according to aspirations of the Kashmiri people, no progress could be made on the Indo-Pak front. You cannot put the real issue of Kashmir on the back burner and hope to have a settlement of outstanding issues by opening talks.
Outgoing Pakistan ambassador to India Riaz Khokhar: Kashmir is a fundamental issue for Pakistan and all other matters are a consquence of it. How can you touch peripheral issues and leave the fundamental problem unattended? The other issues dont create tension. We want to address the main issue first which creates tension and affects the people of the two countries. We can also talk on trade and other such issues but there is no question of putting Kashmir in cold storage even for a moment.
Former Pak Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto: The hawkish policy on India has been rejected by the people of Pakistan in the recent elections and they have endorsed Nawaz Sharifs stand to open negotiations with India.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah: The Nawaz Sharif goverment should stop aiding and abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and sincerely work for the betterment of Indo-Pak relations. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir should be handed over to Pakistan and Iindia should retain what it controls in the border state so as to bring an end to this dispute between the two countries.