LET US BRIDGE THE TRUST DEFICIT

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

SHAUKAT AZIZ, PRIME MINISTER, PAKISTAN

India Today, Section: India Tomorrow: Perception vs Reality

I will be speaking on a topic I feel passionately about-"The future of
South Asia". We in South Asia are custodians of ancient civilisations and
a rich heritage. Our region is home to one-fifth of the population of the
world and is rich in resources, skills and productive energies. Taken
together, South Asia has the potential to become one of the major centres
of economic power in the world. Yet, the sad reality is that for most
people outside the region, any mention of South Asia evokes images of
teeming multitudes swamped by poverty and deprivation.

In the early years of the new century, when the global situation as a
whole is characterised by flux and rapid change, the people of South Asia
face a unique and complicated challenge. This challenge consists of
envisioning an alternative future for the region. A future that breaks the
vicious cycle of poverty, malnutrition and disease that stalks our people.
A future that is built on the foundation of a lasting peace in the region.
A future that sheds the baggage of the past and reflects the true
aspirations and hopes of the people of the region. Let me share with you
my perspective on peace and development in the region focusing on two main
themes. First, establishment of lasting peace in the region through a
dialogue process aimed at the settlement of all outstanding issues.
Second, cooperation for economic development in the region both on a
bilateral basis and within the framework of SAARC.

With regard to the first element, I will focus on the relations between
Pakistan and India. Pakistan believes that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute
is the core issue between our two countries. We also believe that it is a
dispute that can be resolved and resolved amicably and fairly. But in
order to achieve this, all parties to the dispute-Pakistan, India and the
people of Jammu and Kashmir-must demonstrate the will to address the issue
sincerely with the objective of seeking an honourable solution based on
mutual respect and accommodation. It is also important for all sides to
acknowledge that the issue is not about territories or ideologies. It is a
human problem. Kashmiris have been denied their fundamental right of
self-determination.

Let me dwell for a minute on the phrase fundamental right. What this
implies is that the right of self-determination is a right of the Kashmiri
people as human beings. It is for this reason that Pakistan continues to
emphasise the need to associate the Kashmiri people with the
Pakistan-India peace process. Like people anywhere in the world, Kashmiris
value their freedom and basic rights. When these were denied to them, they
waged a struggle. When their peaceful struggle met with violence and
repression, they did what all desperate people do. They fought back with
all the means at their disposal. To dismiss the entire Kashmiri freedom
struggle as cross-border terrorism is an over simplification that would be
almost droll if its consequences were not so tragic. Similarly, the
temptation to bracket the issue as a subset of the larger global problem
of terrorism may be, at best, disingenuous, or at worst, dangerous. We all
know what the facts are.

Let me clarify that from Pakistan's perspective any serious attempt to
resolve the Kashmir dispute does not hinge on apportioning blame or
demanding concessions that are unreasonable or unjust. In our meetings
with the Indian leadership in the past years, both President Pervez
Musharraf and I emphasised on the need to move away from conditioned
reflexes and explore fresh ways to seek just and durable solutions to all
our outstanding issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Let us
break through the shackles of the past and bridge the trust deficit once
and for all. We believe that the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service is a
humanitarian confidence building measure which will contribute to the
alleviation of the problems of the Kashmiri people.

Let me now turn to my second theme which is economic cooperation. I will
begin by saying that regional and bilateral processes are mutually
reinforcing. Under SAARC we are coming together in trade with SAFTA. This
is, in fact, an MFN plus. South Asia must position itself to benefit from
the globalisation process. This warrants a renewed focus on regional
cooperation. On the bilateral plane too there is a lot that can be done.
Pakistan is of the view that both India and Pakistan can gain by
cooperating in the field of energy. The proposed gas pipeline projects
linking India, through Pakistan, with the enormous reserves of West and
Central Asia would be a huge economic CBM. Discussion on bilateral trade
needs to move beyond acrimony and the blame game to a more thoughtful and
objective analysis. It is important to acknowledge that India has a huge
advantage in terms of balance of trade. Therefore, there is a need to
identify reasons that make it difficult for Pakistan to get market access
in India. It is extremely important to create a level playing field and
facilitate more private sector interaction. I began this address by saying
that South Asia faces the challenge of envisioning an alternative future
for itself. In this search for an alternative future of peace and
progress, it is reasonable to expect that India will show a responsibility
proportionate to its size.

In conclusion, let me say that in this age of intertwined destinies and a
common future, let us vow to make the 21st century a century of peace and
prosperity for South Asia. Let us reclaim our glorious heritage. Let us
celebrate our diversity and turn it into a source of strength rather than
division. Let us prove to the world that South Asia is capable of seizing
the moment. We owe this much to our future generations.

DISCUSSION

Q: What is it that you want to do to advance the peace process?

Aziz: We want to create an atmosphere which will be a win-win one for both
countries. In this context, one example is the energy corridor we offered
to your government. The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service will be a step
in the right direction. But all this has to move in tandem with making
progress on the Kashmir issue.

Q: If Pakistan makes any kind of claim on Kashmir it is proposing the
two-nation theory. What do you suggest to the 15 crore Indian Muslims?
Should they live like second-grade citizens in India or would you want
them to migrate to Pakistan?

Aziz: Both countries take care of their citizens and unlike Kashmir which
is a disputed territory, those living in India are being attended to by
your Government.

Q: Why do Pakistani businessmen not trade with India?

Aziz: The concern our businessmen have is non-tariff barriers. With the
support of the Indian private sector and the Government we can attempt to
create a level playing field.