A few nights ago I watched “Question Time India”, a BBC program which hosts a panel of experts. They are asked to respond to questions from the floor.

Among the more interesting persons on the panel was a government minister from the foreign office (FO) and a representative of Shiv Sena (SS).

The program began by applauding Indian PM Vajpayee’s concession to meet Jamali, his Pakistani counter-part. Wouldn’t India insist on an end to “cross border terrorism” as a pre-condition to talks, asked the program presenter of FO. He beat about the bush but then conceded that there would be no benefit from such a meeting if incursion of armed ‘terrorists’ did not
stop.

SS added that India ought not to rush into high-level talks and that
normalization with Pakistan should take the slow route: first exchange ambassadors and start talks at the foreign office level. This is all very sensible. But then he blurted that Shiv Sena and the government ought to send guerillas to Pakistan to retaliate in kind!

This released thunderous applause from the audience, prompting a reprimand from the only lady on the panel, who said that such tit-for-tat behavior by nuclear neighbors could only lead to a nuclear exchange. She seemed appalled by the enthusiasm and jingoism shown by the majority in the audience.

Demonstration of such venom towards Pakistan, which is viewed as sponsoring “terrorism” not just in Kashmir but in Bal Thakery country, shows how much hatred has been generated in India even among well-educated people. I fear similar attitudes are prevalent on this side of the border too. Let’s not begin by making one side appear more enlightened than the other.

Half a century of conflict and what do we have to show? Fat armies and warped minds!

A year ago I lived in Pakistan’s capital. Many of my neighborhood shops had glass covered charity boxes placed near the cash register-- all asking for the change and more. You guessed it: they belonged to one or other ‘jehadi’ outfit promising to fight our wars – wars that saved our honor and protected innocents from the wrath of the cruel neighbor. I wonder if they are still there. In late 2001 the government issued instructions forbidding such collection but nothing happened – the boxes kept filling up.

It is common knowledge that ‘jehadi’ groups trained in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir cross over to the Indian side to fight and instigate the ‘religious’ war, which has killed nearly 70 thousand persons. Our government insists that it cannot control the ‘jehadis’. No other country believes this of course, least of all India.

Nevertheless, Pakistan’s suggestion that an independent observer force be stationed at the line of control (LOC) sounds immensely reasonable. There could be more to it, though. Is Pakistan pushing this line, while knowing India’s foolish refusal to get other countries involved in what it regards as an “internal conflict”? By refusing, India looks intransigent, and in turn Pakistan feels that it has placed itself on high moral ground.

US strongman Richard Armitage will shortly visit the two countries. This head-masterly visit has made the two countries act like good school boys.

Some good has already come of it: ambassadors will soon be exchanged and air routes opened, hopefully followed by land traffic and free issuance of visas.

It is unfortunate that we begin to behave decently towards each other when prodded by a superpower. But let that not take away the positives that could follow -- a genuine change of heart on both sides in the coming months (years?).

Clearly, to move forward requires both sides to be gracious. India’s insistence that ‘jehadi’ outfits be banned and stopped from infiltration into Kashmir is fair. So is Pakistan’s suggestion that an international force, UN preferably, be installed to patrol the LOC. Both these moves should accompany the early removal of most of the 0.7 million Indian troops from Kashmir to allow that beautiful part of South Asia to return to normalcy.

If the Pakistani government cannot truly control the violent elements within the country, international help should be sought. After all it was American money that seeded the growth of these ‘jehadis’; they were needed to fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Let the US use their money again, but now to build schools and colleges and health facilities. Those who join the
‘jehad’ can thus find a more peaceful and fruitful life at home. American must pay for their original sin!

Today, confidence building measures are important and greater contact between our people is needed to dispel the tension and anger that I saw on the faces of the BBC audience. These are necessary first steps to solving the big issue, which is Kashmir. It is time that cool minds in both governments nurture the current opportunity for peace, while reminding the headmaster that he ought to make amends this time around.

Richard Armitage arrives in Pakistan on May 7, 2003.