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The Hindu : Front Page News : Monday, May 12, 2008
Ex-soldiers of India and Pakistan on peace mission
Special Correspondent
MUMBAI: It looked like a military reunion of former officers and commanders all exchanging amazing anecdotes and jokes amidst applause and laughter.The only difference was that they belonged to both sides of the divide that separates Pakistan and India and were on a mission to promote peace between the two countries.
The former military personnel, some of whom held very senior positions, began their two-day meeting in Mumbai on Sunday under the auspices of the India-Pakistan Soldiers Initiative for Peace (IPSI). A 24-member delegation of the Pakistan chapter of IPSI is attending the deliberations.
The former Vice-Chief of the Indian Army and president of IPSI India, Lieutenant General (retd) Moti Dar said India and Pakistan not only had to make peace but also move towards collective security and strong economic ties.
In the globalised world, the trend was formation of regional groups and the two countries could become an economic and political force.
He said a good beginning could be made by resolving the Siachen issue, which was easy to solve. Its resolution could boost the peace efforts and mutual trust.
Non-resolution of the Siachen issue and continuous deployment of troops and related activities on the worlds highest war zone could spell ecological disaster for both the countries, he noted, particularly Pakistan for the glaciers fed the Indus River so important for that country. Besides, it was expensive to maintain troops there.
He said that for disengagement, India had proposed drawing a temporary line on the map on the basis of present ground positions of the two countries with an understanding that it would be without prejudice to their respective claims. But Pakistans stand was that the present position need not be dotted on the map and India should trust Pakistan.
He said the demographic explosion should be taken into account. By 2050, India would be the most populous country in the world, the third-most populous country would be Pakistan. There would be tremendous pressure on water and food resources leading to problems.
Lt. Gen. M. Naseer Akhtar (retd) of the Pakistan Army felt that mindset of the people, particularly those who contributed towards decision-making, should be changed.
Nothing will move if we come with old mindset, he said and called for greater interaction.
He said that resolution of issues needed political will on both sides . Our poverty will go when we improve our relations and become friends, he said.
Yusuf Tarigami, a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly said travel across the Line of Control was not only an issue concerning Kashmiri Muslims but others also as was seen during the Assembly debate.
All political parties, including the National Conference and BJP and members from all regions wanted trans-LoC access," he said.
Ex-soldiers of India and Pakistan on peace mission
Special Correspondent
MUMBAI: It looked like a military reunion of former officers and commanders all exchanging amazing anecdotes and jokes amidst applause and laughter.The only difference was that they belonged to both sides of the divide that separates Pakistan and India and were on a mission to promote peace between the two countries.
The former military personnel, some of whom held very senior positions, began their two-day meeting in Mumbai on Sunday under the auspices of the India-Pakistan Soldiers Initiative for Peace (IPSI). A 24-member delegation of the Pakistan chapter of IPSI is attending the deliberations.
The former Vice-Chief of the Indian Army and president of IPSI India, Lieutenant General (retd) Moti Dar said India and Pakistan not only had to make peace but also move towards collective security and strong economic ties.
In the globalised world, the trend was formation of regional groups and the two countries could become an economic and political force.
He said a good beginning could be made by resolving the Siachen issue, which was easy to solve. Its resolution could boost the peace efforts and mutual trust.
Non-resolution of the Siachen issue and continuous deployment of troops and related activities on the worlds highest war zone could spell ecological disaster for both the countries, he noted, particularly Pakistan for the glaciers fed the Indus River so important for that country. Besides, it was expensive to maintain troops there.
He said that for disengagement, India had proposed drawing a temporary line on the map on the basis of present ground positions of the two countries with an understanding that it would be without prejudice to their respective claims. But Pakistans stand was that the present position need not be dotted on the map and India should trust Pakistan.
He said the demographic explosion should be taken into account. By 2050, India would be the most populous country in the world, the third-most populous country would be Pakistan. There would be tremendous pressure on water and food resources leading to problems.
Lt. Gen. M. Naseer Akhtar (retd) of the Pakistan Army felt that mindset of the people, particularly those who contributed towards decision-making, should be changed.
Nothing will move if we come with old mindset, he said and called for greater interaction.
He said that resolution of issues needed political will on both sides . Our poverty will go when we improve our relations and become friends, he said.
Yusuf Tarigami, a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly said travel across the Line of Control was not only an issue concerning Kashmiri Muslims but others also as was seen during the Assembly debate.
All political parties, including the National Conference and BJP and members from all regions wanted trans-LoC access," he said.
