Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former Pakistan foreign minister, described the current India-Pakistan relations as among the worst ever, barring wartime. He stressed the potential for positive shifts through dialogue to resolve outstanding issues and highlighted a four-point formula for Kashmir proposed by Pervez Musharraf. Ashis Ray supported cultural exchanges and sports diplomacy to improve relations.
Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has characterized the contemporary period as one of the most critical lows in India-Pakistan relations, excluding wartime. He emphasized that bilateral relations are susceptible to drastic positive changes. At the event ‘Pakistan-India Relations – Current Situation and the Way Forward’, he advocated for dialogue as the exclusive means to resolve longstanding issues between the two nations.
Kasuri highlighted the historical patterns of negotiation following conflicts and lamented the current missed opportunities for peaceful resolutions. He noted the existence of a four-point formula regarding the Jammu and Kashmir issue, which he attributed to former President Pervez Musharraf’s discussions with Indian leaders. As the Chairman of the Institute of Peace and Connectivity (IPAC), Kasuri stressed the dire need for engagement despite existing tensions.
Drawing from his experiences with both major political parties in India, he expressed optimism that the silent majority in India desires peace with Pakistan. He reiterated that despite current animosity, history shows that relations can pivot toward positivity, as evidenced by past interactions between leaders of both countries.
Kasuri recounted significant diplomatic surprises, including President Musharraf’s later warm reception in Delhi and Prime Minister Modi’s unexpected visit to Lahore in 2015, suggesting that such instances may recur. He also pointed to changing geopolitical dynamics under President Trump as potential catalysts for fostering improved relations.
He lamented the prolonged poverty that afflicts both nations and attributed it to enduring tensions. Kasuri reiterated that continuous dialogue remains essential to address unresolved issues amid potential threats to harmony from terrorism.
Journalist Ashis Ray echoed these sentiments, promoting cricket diplomacy and cultural exchanges as avenues for thawing relations. He called for immediate constructive dialogue, drawing comparisons with successful diplomatic breaks between other nations.
Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s remarks underscore the pressing need for dialogue between India and Pakistan, despite the current strained relations. He emphasized the historical tendency for problems to be resolved through negotiation and highlighted the undercurrents of public desire for peace in India. Meanwhile, Ashis Ray’s suggestions propose cultural engagement as a means to foster better understanding. Ultimately, both figures advocate for proactive measures to ameliorate relations, ideally paving the way for a constructive and prosperous future.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
