Pakistan - SEMINAR REPORT

Air Marshal Kuldip Rais Meeting with Sardar Abdul Qayum Khan:
Known as No. 1 Mujahid Qayum Khan accepted that a cordial atmosphere was a prerequisite for any dialogue between India and Pakistan. He emphasized that the present moment was appropriate for a dialogue as only a “committed Hindu can talk to a “committed Muslim. As the Indian government was headed by a Hindu party and Pakistans by the Army, the present moment was suitable for dialogue. The two neighbours must proceed with resolving other irritants rather than getting stuck with the Kashmir issue. He criticized the jihadi groups and the high budget of the ISI.

On Kashmir he felt that it was time to start a dialogue with various persons from different parts of Kashmir apart from between India and Pakistan. He welcomed the ceasefire announcement by Prime Minister Vajpayee which, he felt, reduced tension and improved the situation in Kashmir. There were 12 to 14 proposals for resolution of the conflict. Any one of them can be taken up to begin the process. But the worry was the role of militants in general and foreign militants in particular (what he called Talibanisation) in the Valley.

Col. VS Vermas interaction with Al Badr leader Maj. Gen. Ansari:

Gen. Ansari welcomed the peace initiative by the Indian government in Kashmir as a good move and positive initiative. He pointed out that all the parties were affected by violence in the Valley and alleged that over 60,000 to 80,000 persons had been killed in Kashmir so far. The militants in Kashmir were not motivated by any monetary inducements but were fighting voluntarily. He wanted troop reductions as an imperative step for bringing peace in Kashmir. He also wanted India and Pakistan to begin a dialogue without preconditions on the issue. He was certain that violence would automatically reduce once talks begin. And militants in such situation would support any peace process.

Lt. Gen. MM Walia's visit to III Frontier Force Regiment:
The infiltration into Kashmir cannot be stopped, as they were not under the control of Pakistan. It was maintained that there was no Kashmir policy in India. India has not done anything concrete to solve the problem. It was imperative to put all the forces in Kashmir under one command for at least three months instead of making piece meal arrangements. It was observed that Pakistanis were not distrustful of Indians, and this was the other way around. There was no hatred at people-to-people level. Hence there was an opportunity available for a peace initiative.

Admiral Ramdas's Meeting with Gen Musharraf:
During his informal meeting with the Chief Executive, the Indian delegation expressed their appreciation of Pakistan's offer to help after the Gujarat earthquake. General Musharraf mentioned that it was unfortunate that has initial offer of help by Pakistan was not accepted by India. According to Admiral Ramdass, General Musharraf did not refer to Kashmir in the course of his meeting even once. He also did not comment about the possibility of reducing militancy in the valley. However, Admiral Ramdass opined that he felt that Musharraf was not averse to using force to curb the jihadi elements in Pakistan. He referred to recent their call for a ban on Basant celebrations in Lahore by the conservative Islamic groups, which was ignored by the people at Musharraf's behest.

During the meeting, Musharraf expressed his appreciation of the cease-fire in
Kashmir announced by the Indian government. He mentioned that in response to the cease-fire he had ordered a pullback of troops from the LoC and ordered restraint along the border. According to Admiral Ramdass, this was corroborated by Indian Army sources upon his return to India. Musharraf did refer to the possibility of evolving a flexible approach on all bilateral issues.

Regarding regional cooperation in South Asia, Musharraf was of the view that it was a shame that South Asia was not taking advantage of opportunities for regional cooperation that would benefit all the states in the region. On the issue of cricket ties between India and Pakistan, Gen. Musharraf felt that politics and sports should be separated and that he had looked forward to the Indian cricket team touring Pakistan before it was cancelled.
On the whole, analysing the current bilateral relations, Admiral Ramdass put forward the view that this is probably the most suitable time for mending fences with Pakistan as, there is an all party consensus in India on the cease-fire in Kashmir. Plus, with the Army in power in Pakistan and the BJP in power in India, two entities that represent strong interests at home have the decision- making power in both countries. Admiral Ramdass expressed the hope of a resumption of dialogue between the two countries with the meeting of Foreign Secretaries scheduled at the end of June.
 
DISCUSSION

Q: What do you think as the role of APHC in the peace process in Kashmir?
R: Unless we engage in dialogue and hear their views we always face the situation of failure. The final solution should evolve than predicted. As long as we insist for only bilateral dialogue it is not going to lead anywhere.

Q: How to solve Kashmir issue? Where to go from here?
R: If we sort out the issue internally there will not be any external dimension to it. We have not offered anything concretely to Kashmir. In short, we lack a Kashmir policy. We have wasted opportunity to initiate dialogue immediately after the ceasefire announced in December 2000. For the dialogue people from all part Jammu and Kashmir need to be involved.

Q: In Pakistan there are 9000 registered madrasas operating with state’s patronage. Is this not a double speak to fomenting trouble and at the same time calling for peace?
R: We point out madrasas in Pakistan but, there are lakhs of shakas (Hindu fundamentalist organizations) operating in India. What control do we have on them? Musharraf is trying to bring them under control but he is facing pressures from various quarters.