The animosity, distrust and strained relations between Pakistan and India notwithstanding, the people at the grass-roots level in India are keen to travel freely as tourists to see for themselves what they have read in books and heard from their elders about the historical treasures and scenic spots in Pakistan. Indeed, the same could be said about the people living in Pakistan.
The relations between the two neighbourly countries have two different levels: one revolves round political developments and involves diplomatic intricacies; and the other, based on ground realities. How the common man thinks about the relations should grow?
The recent week-long visit of a group of Pakistani media men to India was rewarding in the sense that it gave them an opportunity to interact with high profile officials on the one hand and on the other to talk with the common man in the crowded, rather choked streets of Chandi Chowk, Urdu Bazaar and Carol Bagh shopping area in New Delhi and in Agra and Mumbai.
"If people living in Europe could travel, work and live freely in all the EU countries, why can't people living in India and Pakistan, at least, travel freely as tourists?" This is how a common man expresses himself in India and considers restriction on free movement of people across the border as unnatural.
When the External Affairs Secretary, Mrs Nirupama Rao, was confronted with this situation and asked that visa rules be relaxed to facilitate people travel between the two countries, her response was: "It will take time. We have security concerns, and the trust deficit that exists between the two countries. It could recede if relations improve."
The law and order situation, ie, incidents of suicide bombings, send a wrong signal to foreign countries and there is a deep impression in India, at least among the Indian media men and bureaucracy, that extremist forces rule the roost in Pakistan. This has to be removed, and this could be done if there is free exchange of views and unbridled interaction between journalists, writers, intellectuals, and artists of the two countries.
It would be a naïve statement that there are no gray areas in India. Corruption, crime and inequality could be seen on the roads and read in the newspapers. A Commissioner was burnt alive by oil mafia who pilfers oil from the tankers with connivance of the operators. When he tried to intervene, a political leader was attacked outside the court and badly injured, and a body, known as 'Citizens Against Corruption', has been set up to force the government recover Rs 1.8 trillion black money in the country. Posters were seen on Mumbai roads inscribed: 'Advise to PM. Appoint an Anit-Corruption Minister'. Although corruption, crime and poverty can not be denied in India but at the same time they are seriously involved in correcting the wrong.
The way forward they think is in perspective planning, primarily focusing on middle age group population. According to Vishnu Prakash and Y K Sinha, Joint Secretaries, Ministry of External Affairs. This particular group which is coming out of universities and technical institutions needs to be absorbed gainfully. Efforts would be made not to waste this highly qualified class but to absorb them to achieve maximum good for the country.
The benefit of two decades of liberalisation and economic reforms since 1991 has propelled India through a crisis that had crippled the rest of the world. With the International Monetary Fund projecting an economic growth of 9.7 percent for the current year, compared to 4.5 percent, India claims to be a beacon of global economic recovery. According to official figures available, India remained the preferred destination of big investors, who brought in a record $28 billion last year, and its exports are on course to exceed the targeted $200 billion this financial year.
India is the fastest growing telecom market in the world today. With 700 million users and another 17 million being added to this number every month, it is cruising confidently towards the one billion mark.
We were told that merit is the sole consideration for appointment to top positions in public sector organisations. Chairman & Managing Director of Export-Import Bank of India, (Exim Bank) T C A Ranganathan, told us that the position which he is holding was advertised in newspapers. In response to that he applied for the job and was interviewed by highly qualified people including the Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India.
The result is that Exim Bank is a virtual melting pot of thriving minds from a variety of disciplines. The creative synergy produced by a brain trust composed of individuals with vastly different styles of thinking has helped the Bank to constantly innovate, and come up with original solutions - solutions beyond banking.
Adopting the methods followed by successful institutions, may they belong to a hostile territory, for running our institutions to achieve the same heights, is no crime. Exim Bank shares its expertise in the creation and operation of a financial institution in a developing country, with countries endeavouring to set up institutional infrastructure for international trade. Its activities in this regard include:
-- Feasibility study for establishment of an export credit and guarantee facility for Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries.
-- Setting up the Afrexim Bank, Exim Bank in Malaysia, and the Export Credit Guarantee Company in Zimbabwe.
-- Designing and Operationalising of Export Financing Programs in Turkey and South Africa.
-- Inputs regarding export marketing/export development for Armenia, Vietnam and Ukraine.
-- Feasibility study, undertaken on behalf of the Government of Mauritius, for 'Projecting Mauritius as an investment hub for Indian firms'.
-- Blueprint for setting up of an Exim Bank in Zimbabwe.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), a contemporary of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), is yet another institution which plays a key role in advising the government of India in formulating economic policies.
FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India which plays a leading role in policy debates that are at the forefront of social, economic and political change. Through its 400 professionals, FICCI is active in 19 sectors of the economy. Its stand on policy issues is sought out by think tanks, governments and academia. Its publications are widely read for their in-depth research and policy prescriptions. It has joint business councils with 79 countries around the world.
A non-government, non-profit organisation, FICCI is the voice of India' business and industry having direct membership from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 83,000 companies from regional chambers of commerce.
It works closely with the government on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities for industry through a range of specialised services and global linkages. It also provides a platform for sector specific consensus building and networking.
Partnerships with countries across the world carry forward its initiatives in inclusive development, which encompass health, education, livelihood, governance, skill development, etc. The FICCI serves as the first port of call for Indian industry and the international business community.
It would be in the best interest of the country if FPCCI were also to emulate the agenda followed by FICCI and work on its pattern. During our visit to FICCI offices in New Delhi, we did not find any businessman or office-bearer hanging around looking for assistance for the redress of individual problems. We were told that the President of FICCI is hardly available for day to day meetings which are managed by the Secretary General who holds a doctorate in economics and practically runs the entire organisation. The President and Senior Vice-Presidents come from high profile business groups and have no time to attend to routine matters.
Indeed, Pakistan has plenty of talent, innovative minds and full of natural resources which need to be harnessed. Political will, strong institutions and good governance is required to pull us from the morass we are in.