How India and Pakistan can build on the recent ceasefire and achieve peace

Peace is a fragile plant that needs constant nurturing. This is especially true when two neighbours with a disturbed relationship attempt mutual reconciliation of differences. When their endeavours are weak, lack sincerity or lose momentum due to mutual suspicion, the plant dies. A new seed is sown, and the same cycle of irresolute efforts and predictable failures continues. This, sadly, has been the saga of the peace process between Pakistan and India.

Regardless, peace efforts must continue because of some unchangeable and inescapable truths. As neighbours, they must develop peaceful and cooperative ties for their own security, prosperity and progress. It is in this context that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, “You can change friends but not neighbours.”

This was recognised by Pakistan’s former president, Musharraf, also and this enabled them to start the peace process. Second, despite many wars, big and small – the last of which took place in 1998 at Kargil – and many near-war situations, neither country has been able to achieve its objectives through war or violence.

It was a recognition of these facts that compelled the two countries to announce a ceasefire along the Line of Control on February 25. The joint statement of the two directors general military…

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