Our optimism stems from the fact that there has been a distinct attitudinal change and a turnaround in long-held positions of both the countries on the matter. It is more evident in the case of Pakistan, where President Musharraf's recent statements might suggest a 'reversal' on the Kashmir policy.

Both the countries feel that the peace process, that has manifested through the bus service and been further reinforced by cricket diplomacy and the mid-April Joint Statement in New Delhi, is 'irreversible'. While India might feel that Pakistan is moving too fast it would do well to seize the opportunity, since the essence of the changed Pakistan's Kashmir policy cannot have missed the notice of the perspicacious Indian strategic planners. Gone is the rhetoric in Pakistani statements and war as an option has been totally eschewed. That, it no longer sees the LoC as sacrosanct and is even prepared to see it become irrelevant for the sake of a lasting solution, according to Mushrraf, demonstrates a sense of urgency to solve the problem which India must now reciprocate.

We take hope, as all South Asians must at the prospect of a new era in Indo- Pak relations. For much too long the peoples of these two countries have suffered because of the Kashmir issue. But the biggest sufferers have been the people on either side of the Kashmir divide, more so since 1989 when the insurgency took a very virulent form.

South Asia has suffered too. Much of regional development has remained hostage to the Indo-Pak relations with the negative impact of their adversarial relationship falling upon the other countries of the region.

History has thrown up a chance of a lifetime for India and Pakistan to sue for durable peace. It would be tragic if the leaders failed to grasp it.