Traditional obstinacy

Despite all attempts by the government to resolve outstanding issues with India, it continues to pursue its traditional obstinacy. Nearly five years after both the nuclear neighbours initiated the composite dialogue, no progress has been made on the core issue of Kashmir. This has forced Kashmiris who want liberation to initiate peaceful protests. In response, the Indian security forces have let loose a wave of repression relying on methods like curfews, arrests and extrajudicial killings. Similarly, fanatics continue to target Muslims all over India. The latest example is from Hyderabad, Deccan, where Hindu fanatics have burnt alive six members of a Muslim family. In another sad incident a Pakistani national in Amritsar Jail, has died reportedly as a result of torture. For one thing, this is a poor commentary on India's claim to be the world's biggest democracy and for another, it brings out the hollowness of Indian secularism which has simply failed to curb this extremist tendency.

Unless the core issue of Kashmir is resolved in accordance with the wishes of the people and the relevant UN resolutions, there is little chance of peace returning in the region, let alone any improvement in bilateral ties.