Significance of Dialogue Process for Peaceful Co-existence between Pakistan and India

Abstract

Pakistan and India are two major countries of the South Asian Sub-continent. Unfortunately, since their inception, these nuclear archrivals have been unable to resolve their mutual disputes. This situation makes the region a global flashpoint. It is noteworthy that in their post-independence life, occasionally, these countries have also gone through periods of détente, when they remained engaged in dialogue that sometimes ended with pacts in various fields. These occasional and intermittent dialogues have been helpful in reducing tension between these two neighbors. This situation has also been supportive in promoting peace and stability in the region as well as affecting positively the lives of one quarter of the global population living on the Sub-continent. However, this has not been a permanent feature, as on a number of occasions, there have been frequent suspensions in the dialogue process. Obviously, these disruptions have led to mutual mistrust which adversely affected the poverty stricken general public in both countries. The present regional and global situation urgently demands that both countries need to act in a responsible way. No doubt, this can only be possible by initiating a series of serious dialogues aiming at the reduction of existing tension between these two countries. These efforts will be helpful in diverting the human and financial capital from armaments to the socio-economic development of the populations. These dimensions are the real focus of this paper and, it presents various reflections on such issues.