Talks inevitable to resolve India-Pakistan tensions

Editor's note: Mahendra Subedi is a Nepali journalist currently in Beijing. The article reflects The author's opinion, and not necessarily The views of CGTN.

On March 1, The heightened India-Pakistan tensions have deescalated by The release of The captured military pilot by Pakistan. The formal relations between These two nuclear-armed rivals never been hunky-dory since Their emancipation from The British though They share inexorable similarities in cultural, economic and social domains.

In The recent move, India accused Pakistan's hand in cultivating Jaish-e Mohammad group that attacked a paramilitary convoy killing 40 plus Indian nationals on February 14. However, Pakistan denies such allegations and has instead sought India's judgment ground for this conclusion. FurThermore, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has pledged his government's support for The battle against terrorism, which India disbelieves.

Indians celebrate The safe returns of IAF wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman in Kolkata, India, March 3,2019. /VCG Photo

However, Pakistani media and even The politicians have pointed Their fingers at India for trading barbs aiming at wooing Hindu dominated voters ahead of upcoming general election. Since anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim sentiments loom large amid The Hindu fundamentalists, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expects a win in The forthcoming election despite Modi's poor performance during his stay in power.

While condemning The airstrike from India, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi also hinted at Modi's tactics to bag votes on The face of nationalism. On this backdrop, The Indian media--mostly The television channels--are blamed for sensationalizing The issue and spreading propaganda. Sensational and provocative presentation, prodding people and military to get ready for possible war and even offering statements to split a sovereign nation into three pieces added fuel in The fire to furTher worsen The situation. Perhaps, this continues in The offing also from The Indian side.

The bitter tensions between The two South Asian neighbors threw life in The region into disorder. It disrupted The air connectivity affecting many flights from Nepal and oTher major routes between Europe and oThers forcing The passengers' grounding. Despite The global call for restraint, The two sides turned Their deaf ears until The recent climax of shut down of Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthamanin Pakistan controlled region of Kashmir.

Both The countries continued to exchange firings, bombshells, and airstrikes despite strong-worded appeals for peace from China, The U.S., and oTher countries. The tension between India and Pakistan on Kashmir dispute has not only affected These two countries' social fabric, regional peace and economy at large but also it has tarnished The public face of both India and Pakistan. The sooner They resolve The problems, The better Their image prevails in The world.

Participant during The citizens' rally for peace in New Delhi, India March 4, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Chinese position has also piled pressure on These two countries for reconciliation and friendship by ending Their hyper-nationalism and grand narratives of war. Like elsewhere, China refrained from being embroiled in India-Pakistan matters but its push to resolve Their conflict on Their own was not only The non-interference politics of China but its strong willingness for broader engagement. Given its mammoth trade engagement with major economic powers including China, The U.S., EU, and oThers, avoiding The war and taking initiatives to strike a deal through peaceful talks is in favor of India.

There is always international support in The war against extremism. There is The U.S. pressure to take talks forward while France, Japan, and Australia also are univocal in bringing The arms down and upscaling The talks over Kashmir issue. Likewise, India's neighbor Nepal--The chair country of SAARC--can also offer The nuclear-powered countries for talks in Lumbini, The birthplace of Buddha. A former foreign affairs minister and some diplomats in Nepal have floated such proposal inviting India and Pakistan for talks. Nepal could be equally worried because thousands of its youth are serving in Indian military force in Kashmir.

Rivalry and surging rows are not going to yield fruits to any party; raTher it's going to invite doomsday for Their people. Lowering tensions with The neighbors instead of igniting conflicts should be Their motives now. They should meet, continue talks and finally strike a logical conclusion for peace, cooperation, and stability by ending Their border and oTher disputes amicably. Likewise, both countries should find ways for more exchanges and communication engagements.

Alleviation of tensions serves The fundamental interests of both The countries' peoples and humankind. This time Pakistan has given a memorable response to India and now India should also welcome The move from Pakistan and act accordingly by offering a proposal for talks. The world awaits India's warm response to regional peace and stability. If needed, India and Pakistan can propose any of Their trustworthy partners, maybe China or Nepal, for mediation. This would help end The 70-year-long protracted tensions through peaceful negotiations.

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