How did it all come about? It is generally believed that the near-war situation between the two nuclear power adversaries of South Asia was convincing enough for

international community that a lasting settlement between India and Pakistan was a must for world peace. The United States concerned with its war on terror was particularly interested in freeing both the countries to gear them up towards that end. An urge for peace in both the countries also emerged from the continuing fatigue and cost of confrontation. The recent SAARC Summit in Islamabad provided the long-awaited occasion to

initiate the process.

Significantly one of the key players in the peace process, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee seems to have realised that he could cash in on the peace sentiments and win another general election -- hence his recent decision to dissolve the Loksava and develop a stake in the dialogue. Similarly with his opposition largely neutralised and vote of confidence obtained, President Musharraf also seems inclined to usher in an era of peace and go down in the region's troubled history as a pacemaker. The people of both the countries have also struck a chord with the initiatives of

their leadership. Evidently the concerned quarters in both the countries are proceeding with utmost caution and circumspection, yet the pitfalls cannot be overlooked.

The Indian foreign minister Yashwant Sinha's remark on Dr A Q Khan episode already raked up some old bitterness reminiscent of his preemption theory for Pakistan. Prime Minister Vajpayee also kicked off his campaign for the forthcoming election with the old pledge to construct Ram temple at the site of Babri mosque. This obviously betrays an undercurrent of bitterness and religious emotions which will simultaneously demolish the peace edifice being painstakingly built up by others.

Still there is satisfaction, if not euphoria on both the sides from the fact that the first round of what will be a prolonged and structured dialogue has got off to a promising start. The people on both sides of the border are ready for peace and look to the respective leadership to demonstrate the vision and statesmanship to lead the region to prosperity and peace. From the very

beginning both sides have stressed

the need to proceed continuously and, step by step, in order to achieve "a peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues including Jammu and Kashmir, to the satisfaction of both sides." From Pakistan side there is spanking new approach to the sensitive Kashmir issue. As President Musharraf emphasised, certain proposed solutions that are unlikely to be acceptable to other parties should be set aside. This

implies that while Pakistan seems to be agreeable to work without the UN resolution calling for a full and fair plebiscite India is also under obligation now to drop the idea of Kashmir being the country's integral part. Even then the complexity of this thorny problem indicates that the Kashmir dispute would take a long time to solve. Patience, perseverance, and single minded focus on the dialogue would be required to finally reach the peace heights -- so far as Kashmir is concerned.

Elsewhere there are visible progress in peace efforts. The recently established functional

relationship between the two countries is apparently strengthened and people seem ready on both sides to get out of fixed mindsets and entrenched position on issues. Also the confidence building measures are reinforced. Prime Minister Vajpayee himself intervened to remove restriction on the travel of Indian cricket team. For a change the restrictions on TV channels and promotion of cultural exchange are considered self-

defeating measures even in Pakistan these days. The cultural barrier that existed between the two countries all these years are already demolished. Indian movies and songs as well as Pakistani Ghazals and drama have already reached the remotest places in the two countries where there is electricity.

Yet Kashmir would constitute the litmus test for the success of the rapprochement now underway. There is no point in making a demand which the other side cannot accept. Neither will be a rush congenial to unravel the tangles involved in the issue itself.

They will only entangle the countries in the

most complex phases of problem prematurely and inadvertently. Consequently it will undermine progress on all other fronts. So far the leaders of both the countries demonstrate the realisation of the truism. For the first time conflict is not considered an option for a breakthrough. Indeed, negotiations alone, no matter how long they take, hold the promise of a resolution. In the case of complex issues like Kashmir involving national honour, huge sacrifices and public emotions, it is difficult to find solution and the compromises and give and take are the only way out. The stunt of 'principled' position is not any realistic option. Pakistan seems to have accepted the home truth and embraced unpleasant realities of the situation -- thus brightening up the prospect of a lasting rapprochement at long last.

However the true dynamics behind the rapprochement should indeed be the belief on both sides that hostility and consequent heavy expenditure on defence plays no part in alleviating poverty, both the countries are trapped in. In this regard the onus to promote confidence among the neighbours by reducing defence expenditure lies with India which is already too powerful to be threatened by any of its neighbours including China. India is nevertheless welcome to concentrate on becoming an economic power. In a conflict-free South Asia the sky is the only limit for India.

Brig ( retd) Hafiz is former DG of BIISS.