Essay on Possibility of Friendship Treaty between Pakistan and India

One of the major characteristics of international relations is its dynamic nature. Things keep on changing and to keep pace with the dynamic nature of international relations one has to be sufficiently a breast with the tools that enable the maintenance of requisite pace. What one needs to realize is that not only all developments are likely to have a positive impact but there may be some that could contribute towards further deterioration of the situation. This is particularly applicable to situation of delicate balance.

South Asia is a peculiar region in many ways. Not only it is an indo centric region but it has rarely experienced tension free period since the partition of British Indian Empire. Since 1947 the area has not been able to emerge as peaceful region of the world.

Both India and Pakistan the powerful countries of the region expressed in no uncertain terms their desire in peace, the historical baggage and policy pursuits during the lost 55 years did not facilitate peace and satiability of the region. Lack of peace and stability took a very heavy toll in terms of human development, majority of people live in extremely appalling conditions. Despite being fully cognizant of massive poverty, over population, diseases and less than satisfactory health infrastructure the countries of the region continuously demonstrated lack of pragmatism and continued with their policy national interest rather than regional considerations.

Among the factors that tend to slow down the peace process are national interests, our siders involvement and peculiar condition of the region. Each of these factors facilitated the strengthening of the edifice of distrust. The idea of regionalism did not influence and attract the attention of policy makers all that much, each one of us was more concerned with the security and satiability of its own country a devotee of the desired regionalism. However the growing realization that a regional problem requires a regional approach is certainly providing requisite basis to opt for a more realistic pursuit enabling the entire region to move ahead, to make a regional approach more effective the countries o the region need to prepare for little compromises.

Admitted one major effort of promote the regionalism is manifested in the formation of SAARC but the countries of the region are not satisfied with its performance.

What one need to realize is that SAARC can only function and pay the expected results, once the regional countries opt of what has been referred as regional pragmatism. The regional countries in different fields for their collective benefits can undertake many pursuits but what is essential is to remove those irritants and disputes, which are continuously arresting the peace process. Let me only discuss one such area where immediate attentions could be given in order to alleviate the situation prevailing in South Asia. This deals with the removal of human sufferings and miseries within the context of Indo-Pak relations.

The major source of human miseries in Indo-Pak sub-continent is the existence of widespread poverty. In addition to incumbent level of poverty three other sources that are product of the Indo-Pak tension are also contributing to the existing arsenal of miseries. All of these sources could be easily plugged these include suffering of the Kashmir’s the miseries of the split families and plight of fishermen.

A part from the problem of poverty which requires long term collective efforts, all other sources of miseries can be plunged provided the two counties make earnest concerned efforts. It is my beliefs that even a dispute like Kashmir can be resolved to the satisfaction of Indians and Pakistanis provided they make concerned efforts. A sustained dialogue on the Kashmir dispute involving all the parties. The Indians, the Pakistanis and the Kashmiris – can provided an acceptable solution. As for as the split families are concerned special rules can be made to facilitate their regular contacts. The inadvertent drifting in to others territorial waters by local fishermen needs to be viewed synthetically and efforts could be made to lessen the miseries of the poor fishermen is subjected to.

It needs to be stressed in the end that the peace over tures made in by the Indians and Pakistanis leaders recently should be furthered. Having wasted so many initiatives and opportunities in the past earnest efforts should be accelerated to make this one a success. A major blow to the existing edifice of distrust could be and should be struck. In deed Indo-Pak normalization process requires bold initiatives and pragmatic approaches from both sides and in this way friendship between Pakistan and India can be possible. Because foe of today can be friend to tomorrow.