For a Line of Peace

Sir, - Ms. Malini Parthasarathy's `Agra, just a beginning' (July 12) is a timely treatise that brings out the Kashmir problem in clear perspective. Within the degree of optimism she expresses, Mr. Vajpayee and Gen. Musharraf could agree to the following basics: First, Pakistan should give up its theocratic approach to the problem which is medieval in concept. Secondly, India should not harp on the pre-condition that cross-border terrorism should stop before talks. (Of course, by inviting President Musharraf for talks, Mr. Vajpayee has dropped the pre-condition).

Thirdly, the two leaders should renew their pledge to stick to bilateralism now and ever. In this context, the invitation extended to the Hurriyat to the tea party is most unfortunate as it puts the whole new exercise in the confrontation mode. And, fourthly, any discussion that seeks after one outright winner in the Kashmir issue will be a futile exercise.

As a first step forward, as Ms. Parthasarathy has made the point, the two leaders could agree to a ``Line of peace and stability'' instead of Line of Control (LoC). This line should be demilitarised and demilitantised, giving the Kashmiris freedom of movement in both directions. This was exactly the point that Ms. Benazir Bhutto made during the `hardtalk' interview on the BBC. Such voices of moderation augur well for the success of the Agra summit and for the `commonwealth' of Indo-Pak. nations.

Subbiah Venkataraman,

Thiruvananthapuram

Sir, - This has reference to the report about the claim of the Nawab of Junagath (July 12). His fleeing to Pakistan clearly indicated his poor commitment to his people. After all, the Nawabs of many Muslim major princely States stayed back in 1947. So, how can he claim it now? Where was he during the Tashkent, Shimla and Lahore dialogues?

B. Kaushik,

Chennai

Sir, - The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, in his excellent press conference referred to Aksai Chin, a part of Kashmir ceded by Pakistan to China. Kashmiris have never forgiven Pakistan for this betrayal. Pakistan has to explain how it can wear a self-righteous mask and plead for the self-determination of Kashmiris when it gifted Aksai Chin immediately after the invasion of Kashmir, It must restore Aksai Chin to the territory now under its occupation before it pontificates on Kashmir and Kashmiri people.

V.Ramamurthy,

Guntur, A.P.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : The Pakistani defence cut
Next     : Blot on IPS