Developments on peace

During the last week, three very significant developments occurred related to peace and security in the region, fighting terrorism collectively and promoting strong economic linkages among the countries of the region for shared economic prosperity.
The fist was Pakistan and India being granted full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the 15th SCO summit in Ufa. Demographically speaking, the population of the member states of the SCO represents one fourth of the world population and in terms of its aims and objectives could play a very pivotal role in promoting peace and security in the region and recalibrating economic linkages among the member states in addition to contributing strongly to the management of international affairs.
The inclusion of Pakistan and India to the organisation is indeed an epoch-making event. In the words of the foreign minister of China it would not only strengthen the cause of the SCO but would also provide an excellent opportunity to both the countries to improve their bilateral relations.
According to the charter of SCO the main objectives of the organisation are: strengthening mutual trust and good neighbourliness and friendship among member states; developing effective cooperation in political affairs, economy and trade, culture, education, energy and environmental protection; working together to maintain regional peace, security and stability and promoting the creation of a new international political and economic order. The SCO abides by the basic principles of the UN Charter – respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
In January 2004, in view of burgeoning terrorism and extremism, the SCO decided to set up the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) with the purpose of enhancing cooperation among the member states to deal with terrorism, separatism and extremism. The new narrative evolved by the present government against terrorism and building regional linkages for shared economic prosperity gels well with the objectives of the SCO. Pakistan’s entry into the SCO as full member, besides being a diplomatic triumph, is also an encouraging headway in fighting terrorism. It also strengthens our credentials as stakeholders in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
The second important development was the Nawaz-Modi meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in which both leaders agreed that their countries had a collective responsibility to ensure peace and to promote development and expressed the resolve that they both were prepared to discuss all outstanding issues to achieve this objective. According to the joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting between the two leaders it was also agreed to expedite the Mumbai case trial. India has also agreed to provide additional information like providing voice samples to enable Pakistan to proceed further.
One can hardly take issue with the narrative of collective responsibility of the two countries regarding peace and development in the region by resolving disputes between them and removing impediments to achieving the goals of shared economic prosperity. But the dilemma is that no substantive and tangible gains have been made towards that end despite several such mutually expressed resolves in the previous interactions between the leaders of the two countries, with India invariably pulling out of its commitments on one pretext or the other.
There is also no denying the fact that if both countries join hands against terrorism honestly and stop being dictated by the history of their unenviable past, the fight against terrorism can be taken to its logical end within the shortest possible time. But alas, here again the Indian posture of non-cooperation is the major stumbling block. In any case no big breakthrough could be expected from such meetings and nobody in their right mind actually forecast substantive headway in relations between the two countries except reiteration of resumption of dialogue and working together towards peace and development. Nevertheless, the meeting coming in the backdrop of the recent bellicose blustering by the Indian leaders, their veiled threats and violation of the LoC, has helped in lowering the temperature which could possibly lead to the creation of a congenial atmosphere for the proposed dialogue.
The meeting between the two leaders and the joint communiqué has been a subject of extensive debate. Political leaders belonging to the opposition and certain sections of media have been accusing the prime minister of having failed to get the Kashmir issue mentioned in the communiqué and adopting a grovelling attitude towards India by agreeing to have the Mumbai incident mentioned. That is a rather cynical view on the outcome of the summit meeting, belying lack of proper understanding of diplomatic norms and intricacies that govern relations between the two countries. When the leaders of the two countries talk about resolution of all outstanding disputes it undoubtedly means including the issue of Kashmir.
The track record of the PML-N government also shows that it has made conscious and determined efforts to raise the issue at the international level on several occasions and has not shown any compromise on the subject. By agreeing to proceed in the Mumbai case, provided substantial evidence comes forth, a very positive signal has been given to the international community about our unremitting commitment to fighting terrorism. It also, to some extent, helps dilute Indian propaganda maligning Pakistan on the international level.
The third development were the parleys held between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Coming in the backdrop of some unsavoury developments in the recent past which even triggered a diplomatic row between the two countries and seemed to have dented the newfound bonhomie between them, the talks certainly removed these irritants and put the relations back on track. President Ashraf Ghani appreciated Pakistan’s support in promoting reconciliation in Afghanistan in an obvious reference to the Pakistan-sponsored dialogue between the Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government. He thanked Pakistan and reiterated his resolve to work together to fight terrorism and further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Pakistan can certainly look back with satisfaction on all the foregoing developments.
The writer is a freelance contributor.
Email: ashpak10@gmail.com