Track II talks (IndoPak)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The News International, Pakistan
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
A large delegation of Indian writers, professionals and intellectuals is due in the country soon to resume a process of Track II diplomacy. This is important given that the government-to-government level dialogue has been at a standstill since late last year. The Track II process, peace activists hope, could help push it back onto track again. There has for years been considerable dispute involving Track II diplomacy. It has been argued that it is pointless and in the final run serves no purpose at all. Cynics hold that gatherings such as the one to be held now have continued for years, but had no major impact on altering the broader picture as far as Indo-Pak acrimony goes. They have a point. But the fact is that people-to-people contact is vital to build the foundation of understanding necessary for closer ties. Exchanges between Indo-Pak students in recent years have helped clear misconceptions and in many cases build strong friendships. Pakistani children have benefitted too from Indian health initiatives, at a fraction of what they would cost in the west.
For all these reasons the Track II process should be promoted. This is especially true given that there is a need to sweep away the animosity caused by the process of angry accusations and counter-accusations that followed the Mumbai attacks and various incidents of terrorism in Pakistan. Now that there is talk of resuming the official peace process, anything that can help ease tensions is welcome and the Track II effort is an important step in this direction.
Source
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
A large delegation of Indian writers, professionals and intellectuals is due in the country soon to resume a process of Track II diplomacy. This is important given that the government-to-government level dialogue has been at a standstill since late last year. The Track II process, peace activists hope, could help push it back onto track again. There has for years been considerable dispute involving Track II diplomacy. It has been argued that it is pointless and in the final run serves no purpose at all. Cynics hold that gatherings such as the one to be held now have continued for years, but had no major impact on altering the broader picture as far as Indo-Pak acrimony goes. They have a point. But the fact is that people-to-people contact is vital to build the foundation of understanding necessary for closer ties. Exchanges between Indo-Pak students in recent years have helped clear misconceptions and in many cases build strong friendships. Pakistani children have benefitted too from Indian health initiatives, at a fraction of what they would cost in the west.
For all these reasons the Track II process should be promoted. This is especially true given that there is a need to sweep away the animosity caused by the process of angry accusations and counter-accusations that followed the Mumbai attacks and various incidents of terrorism in Pakistan. Now that there is talk of resuming the official peace process, anything that can help ease tensions is welcome and the Track II effort is an important step in this direction.
Source
Labels: India, Indopak Relations, Pakistan
posted @ 10:02 AM,
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