The India foreign minister Jaishankar has recently again made a renewed diplomatic demand that its neighbour, Pakistan, address the chronic threat of cross-border terrorism. He said: ‘If we can have good discussions on how we can deal with such a menace which has affected our entire neighbourhood.’

Understanding the Context

The relationship between India and Pakistan remains fraught with conflict, after nearly seven decades of hostility, based primarily on territorial disputes. Critically, cross-border terrorism formally entered the debate with the influx of infiltration from over the border, aiding and abetting terrorist activity. Recent years particularly displayed India’s vulnerability to cross-border terrorism.

India’s Diplomatic Approach

‘In this day and age,’ the foreign minister Jaishankar’s statement noted, ‘we believe that diplomatic means are the primary means to address issues including security.’ This, then, was India actively exploring diplomacy towards resolving cross-border terrorism, in hopes of opening up a broader avenue for regional peace and stability.

The Significance of Dialogue

Dialogue between the two nations of India and Pakistan would be quiet beneficial. As both nations are continuously involved in conflicts over various issues. And to overcome those issues and come up with a solution to fight terrosism.
They can discuss their problems openly with each other and by doing that, it would help in better understanding and would eventually lead to confidence building measures and mutual cooperation.

Challenges and Opportunities

In spite of the will to dialogue, the two countries are confronted with fundamental problems – past animosities, divergent political interests, deep distrust– which make it very difficult for Pakistan to give up its use of non-state militancy and India to stop its rhetoric. However, by engaging in a dialogue, and demonstrating a genuine desire for peace, the two countries could transform these problems into opportunities for reconciliation and understanding.

The Road Ahead

The government of India will have to approach the problem of cross-border terrorism by diplomatic means and, more than ever before, sustain a concerted effort from all sides. A combination of bilateral, multilateral and bottom-up efforts will hopefully prove integral to building a better future of terror-free living and peace in South Asia.

Conclusion

In maintaining this rigorous approach to tackling cross-border terrorism, India reasserts its commitment towards ensuring peace and stability in South Asia. Peaceful co-existence and prosperity for both Pakistan and India is possible if they work together with dialogue rather than pushing each other into a vicious cycle of violence.

Source:

https://www.india.org.pk