Need for dialogue

There are hopes that the skies over Pakistan and India will assume a calmer shade of blue as talk of de-escalation comes in from Pakistan, whose leaders have shown more awareness that war is simply not an option between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. On Wednesday, after Pakistan shot down two Indian fighter jets – and took into custody one Indian airforce pilot – while operating from its own side of the LoC, the DG ISPR and Prime Minister Imran Khan both made a call for talks to take over and war rhetoric to be shelved. In a rational and measured presser, DG ISPR Major-Gen Asif Ghafoor made it clear Pakistan had before it no option but to respond following the Indian invasion of its airspace on Tuesday, while also reiterating that war is no solution to any problem. And PM Imran Khan, in a speech which we hope heralds the return to the realm of good sense in the region, once again made a call to India to join Pakistan in dialogue instead of opting for war and conflict.We hope that there will be reciprocation from across the border. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has indicated that her country may be willing to walk down this path, stating that de-escalation is desirable. We must hope others in India agree. This is especially true of the Indian media, which remains in ‘war hype’ mode, churning out rhetoric and jingoism at a higher and higher pitch. At this moment, no one should be hoping for war. The potential loss of life and damage is unfathomable, especially for two countries still struggling to overcome poverty, deprivation and economic instability.Now is the time for the voices of reason in both India and Pakistan to speak out louder. It has also been heartening to see Pakistan first rescue the Indian pilot from an angry mob and then treat him in line with international conventions. As Prime Minister Imran Khan mentioned, it is also time for the international community to play a role, urge India to enter into dialogue and also remind it of the problem which has brought Pakistan and India face to face on at least four different occasions since 1947. China has reiterated restraint and dialogue, while US Secretary of State Pompeo too has urged ‘direct communication’ between the two countries. We hope India listens to these words of caution from all sides.We must also remember that the future of Kashmir is the key to this region’s peace. Any decision must be made according to the will of the Kashmiri people. This is a promise made to them by the international community, and the reason why they are willing to fight on decade after decade for their rights. Leaders, both military and civilian, appear to be accepting that war is not the answer. The answer can then only be found through a process of dialogue, discussion and a willingness to engage openly with each other and end the injustice experienced by too many people in Kashmir for too long.

from The News International - Editorial https://ift.tt/2TmNhLE