Thoughts don’t hurt

There are problems actually with each of the three steps that the Pakistan president has outlined. On what basis, for instance, has Musharraf carved up the region into seven zones? For many committed to the idea of a united state, this arbitrary carve-up — and the proposal to allow one region within the state to cut loose — would appear antithetical to all that they believe in. Demilitarisation is also a problematic concept for India given the long international border and LoC that it shares with Pakistan. The majority of soldiers stationed along the border on the Indian side are basically involved not in armed conflict but in guarding the nation’s frontier. “Militarisation” is therefore something of a misnomer. India, quite legitimately, would want to know how it can pull out all its troops when infiltration carries on, although at levels somewhat lower to those prevailing earlier. The attack on the Abdullahs and the killing of an NCP leader over the last few days come as fresh reminders of the situation on the ground. Therefore when Musharraf airily states that “world leaders, including the Indian leadership, accepts there is no infiltration”, it is a bit of a dodge. Then there is the question of possible UN control over the demarcated region. How can two sovereign countries accept this? Finally, there is the fact that a road map for normalising relations already exists. Would it not be better for Musharraf to apply his mind in strengthening this bilateral process rather than rush to float other balloons?

The Pakistan president is, of course, entitled to his ideas. As we have already stated, ideas don’t hurt and sometimes they even help express hitherto unarticulated nuances by eliciting reactions and responses from the major actors in the tableau. However, if suggestions are to fly, they will have to meet the reality test. Musharraf’s latest idea doesn’t quite appear to do so.