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Journalism of Courage
Now that border crossings are acquiring an optimistic mass, it is a good time to test the durability of India-Pakistan relations. It has been a while now since the appurtenances of normalisation were restored by the two countries. Diplomatic missions, for two long years reduced to lean essentials, are back to their old sprawling selves. Transport links have been restored, even increased. There is confidence in the air that talks on nuclear confidence building measures, slated for later this month, will spur India and Pakistan to move on to bilateral discussions on a wide spectrum of issues. After cricket, this autumn hockey tours will carry cheering fans to both sides of the border. Surely we should now be ready to measure these rules of engagement by some universal touchstones. Don’t look far for tests of normalcy, the civil aviation sector has already presented itself.
Pakistan is reported to be wary of allowing private Indian airlines to fly to its airports. For starters, the fact that this issue has even come up is good news. It is a pointer that air traffic between cities like Lahore and Karachi, and New Delhi and Mumbai, is substantial enough to lure private operators — who, unlike state carriers sometimes committed by their governments to purposeful missions, are mindful of potential business and profit projections. The signs for the nascent peace process, therefore, are healthy. Not so, however, for basic business principles. Refusing “designated carrier” status to private players is untenable. It encourages monopolies. It stifles competition, depriving consumers of choice and realistic fares. Pakistan’s apprehensions are easy to gauge: it doesn’t want any competition to its state carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. And by keeping Indian private airlines out, it hopes to consolidate its take of passengers out of India, into Pakistan, and on to destinations beyond.
