The 'talks about talks' between India and Pakistan concluded on a positive note in Islamabad on Wednesday when the two nations' foreign secretaries agreed on a five-point agenda to resume the 'composite dialogue' first mooted in September 1998. In essence, the two nuclear neighbours, involved in a tense standoff since the terrorist attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001, have agreed to approach the matter with a 'sincere desire' to discuss all issues, including Kashmir, with a view to a peaceful solution.
The officials agreed to a road map in the months ahead, with the foreign secretaries meeting in May or June for talks on the first two issues in the framework - peace and security. Other issues, including the Siachen glacier - the world's highest battlefield - terrorism and drug trafficking, economic and commercial co-operation, and the promotion of friendly exchanges will be tackled by other officials in July. Once these preliminary talks have been concluded, it is envisaged that the foreign secretaries will take stock in August and prepare the ground for a meeting.
By all accounts, this has been the most satisfactory outcome under the circumstances and takes forward the political breakthrough by Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf when they met on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) summit in Islamabad last month. At the time, India agreed to discuss all issues, including Kashmir, subject to General Musharraf making a personal commitment that Pakistan would not support any form of terrorism against India and, further, would not allow any territory under its control to be used for such purposes.
It is evident that both sides have taken great care to respect the sensitivities of the other, and while Kashmir has been specifically mentioned to provide room for General Musharraf to manoeuvre, the abiding Indian concern about terrorism has been couched under the rubric of peace and security.
This empathy for General Musharraf's position is not unfounded, as soon after the latest talks concluded he was seen on Pakistani television addressing a meeting of the Islamic clergy and repeatedly emphasising that he had not made a U-turn regarding Pakistan's long-standing policy on Kashmir. He asserted that as the talks progressed, the people of Kashmir would be included - and that any solution would be acceptable to all parties. For good measure, he also reiterated that Pakistan's nuclear assets were secure and that no foreign inspections would be allowed. This characteristic tactical flourish was to pre-empt any backlash from the Pakistani right wing - which, although small in number across the nation, is stridently represented in the legislature and has the ability to fan religious nationalistic fervour.
The domestic mood in Pakistan is sullen, both over the Abdul Qadeer Khan nuclear proliferation episode and the crackdown on religious extremism; it is believed that General Musharraf has succumbed to US pressure on both counts. Thus, the country is awash with anti-American sentiment and the president has to tread a very fine line in maintaining the right balance apropos the peace process with India. But to his credit, General Musharraf has been using every forum to exhort his people to shun the path of misplaced Islamic zealotry.