Source: The Economist:
THE first law of diplomacy, one late British foreign-office mandarin used to quip, is that “It is not the other side you need to worry about, but your own.” When India’s prime minister met his Pakistani counterpart in New York on September 29th, each had cause to echo the sentiment. Both Manmohan Singh and Nawaz Sharif have, during their respective careers, taken big political risks for the sake of building a durable settlement between the two antagonistic, nuclear-armed neighbours. Yet they have gained little credit for it at home, where powerful forces seek to undermine their efforts. In the past, Mr Sharif has paid the bigger price. His approach to India helped precipitate the coup in 1999 that ended his previous stint in the prime minister’s office. Indeed, even as Mr Sharif held talks that year in Lahore with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India’s prime minister, Pakistani troops were infiltrating Indian-controlled territory in Kashmir. The resulting Kargil war killed hundreds and set in train the events that led to Mr Sharif’s toppling by his army chief, Pervez Musharraf.
Categories: Asia
At least newspaper deserves credit for the photos utilised for the article. How hands of civil rulers on both sides are tied up is classic. As long Pakistan civil rulers will not enjoy complete authority nothing will happen. Current PM of Pakistan is like a puppet whose remote control is in the hands of COAS. His limits were told to him by COAS in his private residence prior to his taking over as the PM of Pakistan. Same game is happening since decades. Any one tried to step out from the tight compartment of freedom of actions set by the Pak Army for civil rulers had to suffer. Same scenario likely to prevail at least in near future also. Just see on the pretext of US with drawl from Afghanistan and to continue hostile attitude towards India, current COAS Gen Kiyani has already demanded from Nawaz either to become next joint chief, defence advisor or at least ambassador in US. News leaked by WSJ. For Nawaz there is no way out but to accept his demand failing which he might face the 1998 plight. So in such scenario talking about peace between India and Pakistan or in the regions is just a wishful thinking. Development of peace in the region will declare Pak Army redundant in the country which it will never like to happen.All people in the region wait for some Messiah to appear and let the things to sort out.