The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs has favoured the revival of dialogue between India and Pakistan keeping in view bilateral ties in their entirety and geo-political realities.
“Four wars, multiple crises, mutual distrust and hostility have marred the relationship between India and Pakistan. Despite the geographical contiguity, historical linkages and cultural bonds, differences have always prevailed over similarities, making durable peace a distant dream,” the committee, headed by Congress MP and former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor, said in its 19th report on ‘Indo-Pak Relations’ tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Friday.
It observed that given the complexity of bilateral relationship, there would invariably be disagreement over the nature and terms of the engagement process. Therefore, it recommended an incremental approach to such a resumption of the dialogue process by starting with less contentious issues. Such an approach could begin with encouraging people-to-people contacts and enhancing bilateral trade.
“It is a fact that by neither publicly accepting nor acting against terrorism emanating from its soil, Pakistan has displayed its unwillingness to create a conducive environment for improving bilateral ties.
However, this should not deter the Government of India from taking steps from its side so that the situation of stalemate does not linger,” it added.
The high-powered panel said Pakistan needed to show intent and conviction to abide by its 2004 commitment of not allowing its territory to be used for anti-India activities.
India should adopt a strategic approach to mount international pressure and influence on Pakistan to act against terrorist organisations operating from its soil, it said.