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How
can the SAARC summit contribute towards de-escalation of the present
India-Pakistan tension?
Views must be focused and to the point to avoid unnecessary editing and should not exceed 250 words. No views without the full name and address will be entertained.
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send your opinions at
vf@jang.com.pk
Your
Opinion
SAARC has not brought a single benefit to this
region. I don't think this time it will bring any positive results. I think the
best solution for defusing tension would be to involve US and EU in mediation.
This way the whole world will know the real problems this region is facing.
Shakeel
Atlanta, USA
India has turned into a ferocious and barbarous dragon who wants to destroy the
innocent Dove of peace. Though ineffective, SAARC Organization must put pressure
over India to put an end to its antagonistic and imperialistic intentions
because these intentions are dangerous for the countries included in this
Organization as well.
Madiha Akhter
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
The SAARC summit can't help calm things down.
Parshu Narayanan
Delhi
The SAARC summit will not defuse the situation. This is one of the reasons why
Mr. Tony Blair is visiting the region to defuse the tension. Tony Blair
visit is a confirmation that the SAARC summit is bound to failure and
therefore, he is coming to the region to avoid any mishaps that could
dilute/disturb their strategic long-term plans in Afghanistan.
Waqqas Asif
Al-Khobar, Saudi-Arabia
The SAARC summit cannot help in reducing the tension
between Pakistan and India and if Vajpayee doesn’t want peace then why to
force him. We are more sophisticated and civilized nation. We should not allow
any Hindu to play with our self-respect. We gave them a chance for peace.
They should take it as a chance and should not think otherwise.
Zeeshan
Lahore
The
occasion of the SAARC summit has provided a good chance for the leaders of both
the countries to sit together and try to defuse the ongoing tension. India is
asking Pakistan to take action against Lashkar-e-Tayaba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Pakistan should also ask India to take action against Shiv Sina, HVP and Bajrang
Dal, India's extremists and fundamentalist groups. War is not the solution of
disputes between India and Pakistan. Peaceful and meaningful dialogues can
resolve these disputes if there is a serious will and wish to do so keeping
aside the party and political gains.
Shafiq Khan
Dhahran,
S. Arabia
There are strong
possibilities to defuse the current tension if Pakistan is serious about rooting
out terrorism. However, given Pakistan’s history of harboring and nurturing
cross border terrorism, one has to be concerned for the worst. Hopefully,
Pakistan seems to be mellowing, according to the latest reports from Katmandu.
Let all parties work for peace and prosperity (“pursuit of happiness”-
Thomas Jefferson) of the two countries, not listen to zealots, and not waste
scarce resources and talents of its people.
Patrick Debb
Australia
The SAARC
summit will not solve the problem. It is really up to Pakistan, her government
and her people to seriously consider their stance on Kashmir. What good has
escalating violence and supporting militants brought to the people of Pakistan
or for that matter the people of Kashmir.
Yes,
it certainly has given the politicians an agenda to win elections and it has
kept the ISI very busy. But beyond that the so-called "moral" and
"political" support by Pakistan has only bred terrorism and extremism
and it all has given Pakistan a very bad name in the world community.
This incident is a great opportunity for Pakistan to get its act straight and
stop meddling in the internal affairs of its much larger and powerful neighbour.
Pakistan has been blessed with a very dynamic and forward thinking leader General Musharraf. Under his leadership many people globally, see
Pakistan making significant progress in the 21st century. A lot could
be achieved, if the people of Pakistan focus on the right goals such as
education, economy and employment not on the so called moral support of Kashmiri
militants fuelled largely by the breeding of Muslim extremists with Pakistan.
Laluprasad
USA
The SAARC summit is not likely to be helpful because the escalation on part of
India is a pre-planned step. However, superpowers like USA and China can ask
Pakistan and India to sit together and bring out a peaceful solution.
Abdul Q. Haji
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Historically, India and Pakistan mistrust each other and I am sure a few
opportunities are already missed for better relationships. I admire the tenacity
with which the President of Pakistan has been insisting for a dialogue. If we
have to learn from other nations experience, such as IRA and UK or Palestine and
Israel, violence has not resolved any issues.
As a British Indian, my misgivings about Pakistan are that as a nation they have
been supporting Fundamentalism and cross-border terrorism with a view to resolve
the Kashmiri issue. I hope and pray that Pakistan has now got the opportunity to
get rid off these evil forces and they will do so.
Pakistanis must have misgivings about India and they should declare them and
then use every opportunity for dialogue and resolution of long standing
mistrust. The Kashmiri issue will never be resolved with violence. Therefore,
terrorism must stop and dialogue should continue. The solution to Kashmiri
problem has to be a secular one which accepts and respects all faiths. It has to
be non-religious neutral state, perhaps like Switzerland.
A Singh
United Kingdom
The SAARC summit would not contribute towards de-escalation
of the present India-Pakistan tension, because India has the backing of the
Western countries. I am 100 per cent sure that the main purpose of the Western
countries is to destroy Pakistan.
Tanweer
Hussain
Bickenbach,
Germany
Both the countries have forgotten the plight of poor Kashmiris, who are getting
killed by both the Indian repression and Pakistani terrorism. I sincerely hope
that this SAARC Summit will help them to do something for the poor people.
Mehboob Siddiqui
Germany
SAARC has proved to be useless. It is just good for the show. The announcements
or agreements made so far have only proved to be not worth the value of the
paper on which they are written.
Nav M.
Lansing, USA
SAARC
strengthens the Indian currency to use it as a pivot amongst member nations.
India is showing again that there cannot be economic unity before political
unity. This would be like building castles in the sand. However, political
alignment would cost Pakistan dearly amongst its host movements in this war initiated
by the 2nd millennium crusaders.
Nadeem Javeed
Leeds, UK
SAARC
is a great opportunity for India and Pakistan to talk. It would be even
greater if both countries discuss other problems also and offer to help out in
mutually acceptable ways.
I know that beneath the veneer of hate, Indians and Pakistanis have a strong
bond which goes back many centuries, and the leadership of the two countries
would do well to magnify our common and glorious past instead of inexhaustibly
retching foolish rhetoric for political gains!
Rajesh Chary
Mumbai, India
SAARC is useless. Nothing positive is
expected.
Mareea
C.
USA
The
SAARC summit would be a contributor towards de-escalation of Indo-Pak tension.
The US role would again have significance without which the Indians may not be
able to move ahead.
Asif Azeez
Dubai, UAE
Perhaps, the South Asian countries can persuade
India to stop cross-border terrorism.
Arsalan Rizvi
Edmond, USA
There is not the least hope of the SAARC summit doing anything to diffuse the
present volatile situation. We can hope for the better if the countries that
matter in international politics put pressure on India to see reason and forsake
anti-Pakistan policy that is solely based on animosity to Muslims.
Prof. Mukhtar Ali Naqvi
Orlando, USA
SAARC countries can play a significant role in de-escalating
tension between India and Pakistan. India should be asked to withdraw its troops
from the Pakistani borders. The intention of India is clear to the entire world
including the SAARC countries. If war will start between the two neighbouring
countries, the economy of SAARC countries will be badly affected, which
will further increase un-employment and recession in the South Asian region.
India should refrain from
the present situation, as flexing its muscle may jeopardize the interest of USA
and international coalition in fighting the war against terrorism and to bring
Osama bin Laden and members of the Al-Qaeda group to justice.
Whatever the grievances India has with Pakistan, India should try to resolve
with peaceful negotiations with Pakistan, as war will neither be in the interest
of India nor for Pakistan. However, if the war is forced by India on
Pakistan, India should be prepared to face the consequences of thrusting a war
on a peaceful country Pakistan, who is presently engaged in fighting against
terrorism along with the international coalition.
Syed A. Mateen
Karachi, Pakistan
The SAARC summit will have no positive result in solving India-Pakistan
conflict. The SAARC has never been able to solve any problem in South-Asia. In
my opinion, SAARC is an unsuccessful origination, as the United Nations is
dominated by America, SAARC is dominated by India.
Iftakhar Latif
Assam, India
The situation in Indo-Pak is not new to anybody.
Everybody will suggest the same. It is rational to dissolve the disputes via
dialogue rather than fight. Did the political leaders ever listen to the voice
of general public (the majority living below the poverty line). Both Pakistan
and India should grab the opportunity to secure the future of their next
generation by laying down the foundation of mutual respect, harmony and
friendship.
Dr. S. Anwar
UK
In my opinion, the SAARC summit is helpless.
Azher Syed
Toronto, Canada
The SAARC summit cannot help in reducing the tension between Pakistan and India.
Mareea
C
Detroit, USA
The war
is imminent according to the signals emanating from the region. I don't think
the SAARC summit can do anything more than that of passing a resolution asking
both countries for restraint. The situation is getting serious day by day. The
Indians have welcomed the arrest of militant leaders by the Pakistani government
and I am certain that they will ask for their extradition to India, which
Pakistan will not accept.
Anyway, we should hope for the best.
Bashir Ahmed
United Kingdom
This time the SAARC meeting must be a meeting place for the rebirth of peace
in the sub-continent. It's definitely time to cool down rhetoric and time to
come down from their high horses for both India and Pakistan; and reopen the
communication channels that were shut so abruptly.
India and Pakistan must start withdrawing their armies from the border. It was a
foolish idea on the part of India to stop train and bus services. Over flight
restrictions should also be removed. Why punish the people of Pakistan and
India for the mess their leaders have created.
Hasan Zeya
Tampa, Florida, USA
I think this will be a great opportunity for both Pakistan and India. It is time
to re-think past failed policies and work towards building a better future for
our children.
Abdul Haq
Ohio, USA
It would be a great opportunity for both the countries to defuse the tension;
but nothing is going to work out as long as the Indian leadership is under
pressure from the extremist groups or parties like BJP, Shiv Sehna and others.
Baba Balooch
Virginia, USA
Pakistan and India can achieve peace and harmony through talks. The
SAARC summit is another opportunity for both countries where they can exchange
their point of views without prejudice.
Shahab Yasin
Scarborough Ont. Canada
I can see some positive steps taken by General
Musharraf, which aims at reducing tension but also decreasing the extent of
fundamentalism in Pakistan. Realizing this, I don't think situation will
escalate further.
Rahul
Sydney
As far as I am concerned, India and Pakistan should sit down together and
find out ways and means to the existing problems rather than making the issue
more complicated and dividing the two countries apart and creating confusion
amongst the younger generation.
May God bring peace both in Pakistan and India.
Fehmida Raza
Fiji Islands