Banquo's Ghost

Musharraf’s candour was on display during an interactive session at the Presidency. He told the delegates, "If India stops atrocities, human rights violations, releases political prisoners and creates an atmosphere, then, maybe, we can facilitate a ceasefire (in Kashmir)." Musharraf offered a ceasefire at the LoC, adding, "A two-way ceasefire should be adopted inside occupied Kashmir."

New Delhi promptly rejected the offer of ceasefire. Yet Musharraf’s comments were significant on two counts. First, it linked a ceasefire offer to the internal condition in Kashmir. Second, through his offer to help "facilitate a ceasefire" in Kashmir he tacitly accepted Islamabad’s influence and control over militants, bolstering New Delhi’s claims that Pakistan fosters cross-border terrorism.

Never known to speak flippantly, Musharraf was perhaps persuaded by the realism of the SAFMA meet to chart a new course. The conference was refreshing because both Indian and Pakistani parliamentarians went beyond reiterating familiar positions. Indian Kashmir Committee chief Ram Jethmalani even suggested Kashmir was not an integral part of India. "The egoistic slogans such as ‘integral part’ are not allowing the two states to come closer," he said.

India’s problem with terrorism was also enunciated. The bjp’s Anadi Charan Sahu said, "India is sick of terrorist groups recruited, trained and deployed by a neighbouring country. But the Indian people, who did not lose hope, have now noticed a keen desire among Pakistanis for friendship with Indians." Most speakers cited the European experience—of fighting two wars and now uniting—as an example for India and Pakistan. A majority of them advocated mutual dialogue on the basis of principles agreed between Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the Simla Accord in 1972, and between Nawaz Sharif and Vajpayee in Lahore in 1999. Some enthusiastic Indian delegates even chanted ‘India-Pakistan Zindabad’.

The joint declaration of the conference endorsed its theme, "understanding, confidence-building, conflict resolution." It observed, "Conscious of the demands of realism and in consideration of the concerns of the two sides, the participants have taken note of the issues that have fuelled the confrontation between India and Pakistan such as Pakistan’s keenness for an early settlement of the Kashmir issue and India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism. They are convinced that while these issues need to be addressed on priority basis, no purpose will be served by ignoring possibilities of cooperation in various fields. This would create goodwill and confidence necessary for the resolution of conflicts." In other words, the declaration seeks to delink Kashmir from progress in other areas of cooperation. It also asked for removal of all restrictions on the free flow of information, and wanted the two countries to grant multiple-entry visas to journalists.

Political classes often look askance at proposals at variance with their positions. As they have often stoked the fire of suspicion, the onus is now on them to suggest ways to make peace. Then, the public pressure on New Delhi and Islamabad to start talking with each other could become formidable.