ONE only needs to take into account the fact that even as India offered to resume dialogue with Pakistan a rally addressed by terrorists wanted in India vowed to press holy war for “independence” of Kashmir to understand how untrustworthy Pakistan still is. While many believe that the idea of engagement with Islamabad through a constructive and comprehensive dialogue may sound theoretically romantic, but no one can seriously argue the futility of such an exercise despite years of persistent efforts. In the absence of an honest mindset, these countless composite dialogues seem to cause greater frustration and disappointment.
Suddenly dropping the condition that there would be no contact with Pakistan till it ended cross border terrorism, the proposal has surprised many with some welcoming it and others opposing the move. It was widely expected that the dialogue process, suspended after the Mumbai attacks last November, would resume only after Islamabad shows some credible action to punish the perpetrators. The message was clear. There has been a softening of stand on the part of the UPA government vis-a-vis Pakistan sponsored terrorism. The government has suddenly taken a U-turn. The emphasis is now more on peace efforts while terror agenda has been pushed to the backburner. This, despite the fact that Pakistan has summarily rejected all our inputs with regard to Indian terrorists enjoying sanctuary in that country. Also, not only has Pakistan denied India access to the conspirators but it has so far dithered and dallied regarding action against 26/11 mastermind, Hafiz Sayeed on the flimsy grounds of insufficient evidence. The centre’s willingness to talk to Pakistan in view of recent increase in infiltration bids is also disappointing. Though the Congress party’s cheerleaders would no doubt hail the resumption of dialogue as a grand conciliatory effort, it would be imprudent to warrant any optimism that Pakistan’s Jehadi army would be reined in. The BJP and others are justified in their criticism that the UPA’s policy statements are inconsistent and contradictory. ”We totally disapprove of talks at this stage for this would be premature”, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad is reported to have said. It stands to reason that if the complete stoppage of terrorism before talks was the cornerstone of India’s policy since 26/11, what made India optimistic enough to give up this policy?
“No meaningful process of engagement moves forward unless and until Pakistan shows real progress by taking measures to control terrorists and bring the Mumbai attack perpetrators to book”, it was only some time back that the PM thundered in Parliament. It was also heartening to see the Home Minister P Chidambaram finally talking tough on the issue of terrorism “we will retaliate next time”. He said. But it was only some months later that the central government has changed tack. The Home Minister, it turns out, is scheduled to visit Pakistan for a SAARC conference- the first of its kind visit by an Indian Minister since the stalling of dialogue in 2008. It is painfully surprising that the decision of the Minister to travel to Islamabad came amid bizarre statements by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that his government cannot guarantee that there will be no further terrorist attacks on India exported by Pakistan. This shows that Pakistan has not bothered even to stand by the commitments made by General Musharraf on January 2004 that he would “permanently and visibly” stop cross border terrorism into Kashmir. That Islamabad has a record of reneging on its promises is proven by the many terrorist acts committed against India since then. Indeed as much has been admitted by the US director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair in his statement before the senate that Pakistan looks upon terror groups like LeT, Jamaat-ud-Dawa and others of their ilk as strategic assets against India.
It goes without saying that India suffers from periodic and apparently meaningless policy reversals with respect to Pakistan. Despite numerous attempts by Indian governments to reach out to the Pakistani leadership, Islamabad has not ceased its hostilities towards New Delhi.
For over six decades, India has shown patience in dealing with Pakistan but the latter has always rejected the hand of friendship. True, that there is no realistic alternative to dialogue. True, a blanket rejection of talks until Islamabad puts a complete end to cross border terrorism has produced a stalemate. But for all that, it would be imprudent for New Delhi to resume the dialogue process in view of Pakistan’s belligerent behaviour for years together. In spite of being at the receiving end of terrorism for decades, India has succumbed to most of the demands made by its hostile neighbour. Despite this New Delhi continued to prefer dialogue over violence, the fallout of such an attitude being the Mumbai massacre of 26/11. Noises from across the border have at no time given any clue that Islamabad sincerely wants peace with its neighbour. So far, the dominant sentiment emanating from all bilateral dialogues has been one of rigidity and non compliance on the part of Pakistan. While both sides welcome the engagement, neither wants to take things forward from their stated positions. In which case, what is the point of talks whose outcome is anyway hopelessly predictable? India must realise that such charades only have the nuisance value of encouraging Pakistan’s misadventures.
Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor’s revelations that some 700 militants are waiting in the wings to infiltrate across the line of control in J&K reflects the height of Pakistan’s indifference as well as it reluctance to abandon the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. These are clear indications that Islamabad’s action against terrorists operating from its soil remains unsatisfactory despite international pressure. The terrorist’s infrastructure as well as their funding and communication networks still remain intact.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao endorsed the same while pointing out that groups attacking India continue to receive patronage of powerful forces in Pakistan. “We have to face hostile forces across our border with Pakistan”, she is reported to have said in Delhi.
Will the effort succeed?  There is, of course, no guarantee unless Islamabad ceases to remain in denial mode despite the conclusive proof provided by New Delhi proving Pakistan’s hand in the 26/11 attack. It also must hand over to India terrorist masterminds like Dawood Ibraham, Lakhvi, Masood Azhar, Hafiz Sayed and other most wanted men on New Delhi’s list. Prevarication and denials will no longer be acceptable.
Leaders and Cadres of terrorist organisations banned by the US operate freely in Pakistan and continue to call for Jehad against Kashmir. It was ironical that on a day India proposed talks with Pakistan, there was a massive show of strength by terror groups in Muzaffarabad to give a boost to the “freedom movement” in J&K. Pakistan based militant leaders came out openly to espouse the Kashmir cause. “The Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through dialogue. Jihad  is the old solution to free Kashmir from the India yoke”, Syed Sahahuddin, Chairman of the 16 Party United Jehad Council said. It needs no reiteration that as long as Pakistan is in the grip of military and ISI, it is futile to rely on it to fight terror. And of course, Pakistani Army needs to keep Kashmir on the boil. That is why Kargil was planned even as Indo-Pak talks were underway.
This being the case, our compulsive obsession with talks seems to be misplaced. Dialogue is no longer a solution considering that 26/11 is what we got after so many attempts at peacemaking.