India and Pakistan —keep talking

THE India-Pakistan dialogue has opened a new window of opportunity that both sides must address. As New Delhi and Islamabad sound each other out on the sensitive issue of Kashmir, a series of confidence-building measures are helping raise the political comfort level. Nonetheless, the sustainability of the composite dialogue hinges on their ability to address what they consider the core issues — cross-border violence for India, and the long standing Kashmir concern for Pakistan.
A 60-year-old 'difference of opinion' on Kashmir is unlikely to be resolved in just a few months. Instead the two sides should, and must, continue talking to build better ties and confidence between the neighbours. Simultaneously, they should also improve the lives of people in the entire poverty-ravaged, economically battered province of Kashmir.
As foreign ministers of the two countries lead these historic talks, there is greater seriousness and sincerity in taking on the touchy question of Kashmir.
India wants credible assurances from Pakistan that violence in Kashmir Valley comes to an end and the militants in Pakistan opposed to the peace initiatives are checked. For its par, Pakistan wants to see concrete progress in tackling what it calls as the core issue of Kashmir. The peace process that began in 2002 has not suffered any major hitch, even though it has faltered and slowed down at times.
The recent political developments in Pakistan have only helped further improve the positive reflections and reverberations. The political change of guard in Pakistan did raise doubts in some quarters about whether Islamabad will go ahead with the peace process; not because of a change of heart, but due to more pressing at-home issues that demanded greater attention. But the peace process has been moving at its own pace.
But it's time for the neighbours to move on and make some credible, genuine progress to help improve the condition of the people of Kashmir and address their historical concerns and aspirations. (Khaleej Times, Editorial)