Uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue only way forward: Mani Shankar on Pak-India relations...

The uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue between Pakistan and India is the only way forward to resolve all the issues between the two neighbouring countries. These views were expressed by Mani Shankar Aiyar, a member of the Indian Parliament and former foreign secretary and former Consul General of India to Pakistan.
He was speaking at an interactive discussion on "India-Pakistan: Prospective and Re-prospective" organised by Karachi Council on Foreign Relations held at a local hotel here on Saturday. He said almost all the disputed issues had neared resolution in the Musharraf era in 2007. He said according to some information 95 percent of the Sir Creek issue had been resolved at that time while 85 percent of the most crucial issue of Jammu and Kashmir had also been resolved in 2007, when the process of dialogue was stopped due to certain reasons.
He suggested that dialogue should continue even in the worst situation as it is the only way forward for resolution of the disputed issues. "We should adopt joint approach to resolve our issues," he said, adding that "There should be mutual understanding for resolution as these are our common issues." He discussed various misperceptions and difference of opinion on different matters.
He said Pakistan is a reality and anybody cannot deny this. Pakistan exists since 1947 as an independent state. In the same way, he said millions of Muslims are living in India and many icons of different sectors in India are Muslims. On the water issue, he said, the availability of water is continuously on the decline. In 1950, per capita availability of water stood at 5000 cubic meter, which has declined to 2000 cubic meter. "It is very serious issue, and we have to find answers on the basis of ground realities," he added.
Regarding Pak-India relations, he said India has very good relations with all Muslim countries except Pakistan. In the same way, Pakistan does not enjoy good relations with its neighbour India. "Our largest trade partner is Dubai, because we trade through it despite being neighbouring countries and having best trading routs such as Wagah, Monabao and others."
He pointed out that during the period of 1947-49, over 90 trade delegations were sent by both the countries to each other's states to increase trade relations despite the worst situation after the partition. However, this trend could not continue due to various reasons and trade between the two neighbouring countries drastically declined.
On a query, he said problems are between two nations and not between the two governments. He was of the view that changing of governments should not affect dialogue process between the two countries. He stressed continuing the dialogue process in the worst situation.
On another question about Afghanistan, Mani Shankar said that Afghanistan is an independent country and it is Afghan government which decides about their relations with other counties. He said there is not a single Indian soldier in Afghanistan.
He said both Pakistan and India are providing financial assistance to Afghanistan in almost the same volume. He pointed out that Pakistan has given $300 million while India being the larger economy than Pakistan provided $1 billion. He said that the Indian assistance for Afghanistan was only for community development. He expressed pleasure over the improving relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. "This is a positive development and we have no objection," he added.
Liaqat H Merchant, Chairman Karachi Council on Foreign Relations, Shahid Amin co-chairman and Ahsan Mukhtar Zubairi Secretary General and CEO also spoke on the occasion. Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khoro, former Sindh Governor Moinuddin Haider, Moin Fudda, Ameena Saiyid and many others also attended the event.