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ISLAMABAD: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said Saturday that India and Pakistan must firmly move towards a resolution of the Kashmir dispute, which can, in no way be sidelined.

With such a pragmatic vision, the two countries can, conveniently put half-a-century of disagreement behind them, opening fabulous vistas for an eventual and lasting affluence for over billion plus populous of the South Asian region, which has been facing one type of peril or the other in the gone-by epoch, he explicitly remarked.

Keynote Address

Delivering a keynote address at the India Today Conclave 2004 on an Indian TV Channel 'AAJ TAK' Saturday night told the audience in millions in the region of South Asia that the positive peace momentum between the two countries could fade away unless progress was made in reaching a settlement.

"The issue of Kashmir is at the centre stage. It must be resolved in an honourable and equitable manner, acceptable to India, Pakistan and Kashmiris," Musharraf asked New Delhi.

"If India takes one step, we are prepared to take two steps forward. India will find Pakistan sincere and responsive. We must persevere, but if there is no movement towards a solution, everything will fly back to square one," he added.

Be Pragmatic

"Let us be pragmatic. Let us learn to accept harsh facts. Kashmir is at the centre-stage of Pak-India relations and has to be settled in an equitable and honourable way acceptable to India, Pakistan and Kashmiris," he said.

"We must persevere ... If there is no movement towards a solution, I am afraid everything will slide back to square one," Gen. Musharraf said apparently referring to the improvement in Indo-Pak ties.

Huge Losses, Suffered

The President said that both Pakistan and India borne huge loss due to their disputes but now time has changed and people of both countries wanted good and friendly relations.

The Cause of Disunity

The President said that the issue lies at the heart of India-Pakistan confrontation and was the cause of disunity in South Asia as a whole.

"A solution will emerge if all parties are mindful of the problem, if Kashmiris are given their due say in the final settlement between India and Pakistan," he said.
The President said that the joint statement reached at Islamabad provided a good framework for a relationship of harmony and mutual respect.

Key to Vanish Bitterness

Musharraf emphasized that only a solution to the Kashmir dispute could clear the bitterness between India and Pakistan and pave the way for trade, cultural and sporting ties to flourish.

"India and Pakistan must bury the past and chart a new path for peace. This is evident from the welcoming response from the people to Confidence Building Measures (peace steps)," he added.

Good Framework

The Pakistani President said that a joint statement signed with India during a regional summit in Islamabad in January provided a good framework to work towards peace.

Of Travel Links

India and Pakistan have restored road, rail and air transport links amongst a host of other diplomatic measures in the past ten months with the aim of bringing the two countries closer ahead of a composite peace dialogue.

"The composite dialogue scheduled for May and June augurs well for our future relations. Firstly, there is a linkage between confidence building measures and the dialogue process," Musharraf said.

"We would not like to move fast with confidence-building measures if the dialogue process is not moving forward," Musharraf remarked.

Acquisition of WMDs

The President also said the acquisition of nuclear and other sophisticated weapons had made the region one of the most dangerous in the world and the two nations needed to scale back. "Why can't our defence expenditure be cut down?" he asked the viewers in millions.

Musharraf said both countries stood to gain immensely from peaceful relations.

Market Size

"On trade, our market size will expand to 1.2 billion people. Foreign direct investment, which is three billion dollars in India, compared to China's 40 billion dollars could increase manifold," he said.

The Pakistani President added that a gas pipeline could laid from Iran to India through Pakistan, which could cut down energy costs by half.

"Tourism can flourish. Combined regional tours could benefit us all. This will lead to a fund for the social sector. Lastly sports activities could be enhanced," he said.

Iron Hand for Extremists

"We must be aware, however, there are extremists on both sides, who will try to derail the peace process. We must be prepared to deal with them with an iron hand," he added.

Tremendous Goodwill

President Musharraf said the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) already initiated have generated tremendous goodwill, adding, Foreign Secretary level talks have further inched the dialogue process forward.

"The composite dialogue scheduled for May/June this year should augur well for our future relationship," he said.

Caution on CBMs

However, the President cautioned; "There is a simultaneity/linkage between CBMs and the Composite Dialogue. CBMs cannot outstrip the Dialogue Process on all substantive issues including Kashmir."

Kashmir Dispute Can't be Sidelined

The President reiterated that "Kashmir Dispute can never be sidelined or ignored" and stressed the two countries "must move forward towards its resolution in tandem with CBMs."

He underlined that "sooner or later Kashmiris must join the peace process on Kashmir to make a solution practicable."

The President, however cautioned about the extremists on both sides who, he said, would try to derail the process.

"We must not be deterred from our path and be prepared to deal with them with an iron hand. In fact in our own supreme interests, we must negotiate peace boldly as if there are no detracting extremists, and we must also deal with all extremists firmly as if there is no peace initiative."

A Realistic Quest

He assured that Pakistan was determined "to take two steps forward if India takes one step and chooses to embark on a realistic quest for a just and durable peace with Pakistan, on the basis of sovereign equality."

He said India will find Pakistan sincere and responsive, if it desires genuine improvement in relations. "We are mindful of the difficulties posed by rigid mind-sets. We must persevere."

Square One

President Musharraf warned if there was no movement towards a solution, everything would slide back to square one.

He listed a number of benefits which the two countries would have once there is peace in the region.

Vistas for Economic Affluence

Musharraf said the market size will expand to 1.2 billion (equal to that of China) opening vistas of trading opportunities within the region.

The Foreign Direct Investment presently stagnating at $ 3 Billion could increase manifold. The natural gas from Iran and Central Asia can become available to the region bringing down energy costs by at least 50%. India may be the maximum gainer.

He said the region has a vast treasure of tourist attractions and the two countries could benefit from combined regional tours.

Reduction in Defence Expenditure

President Musharraf said with the reduction in defence expenditure, funds would be made available for social sectors and poverty reduction.

Through mutual sports, India and Pakistan could regain the lost glory, in hockey and cricket.

More CBMs

President Gen Musharraf said progress on dialogue towards serious resolution of disputes should set us thinking on other more substantive CBMs.

"Why can't our defense expenditure be cut down? It certainly can. Pakistan is not in an arms race. We maintain a quantified force level based on a perceived threat, and a strategy of minimum deterrence."

President Musharraf said "With the enhancement of firepower of weapons we are already reducing the strength of our Army by 50,000. We had kept our defense budget frozen for the past 4 years. India has to review its own strategy because your defense force levels are not based on threat but on power projection."

India's Allures for Arsenal

President Pervez Musharraf also pointed at the latest multi billion dollar acquisitions by India and noted the vastly enhanced budgetary allocations to defence.

The President, however said "In any case, Pakistan will remain amenable for mutual, proportional reduction of forces."

He said the present time is ideal for resolution of all disputes and ushering in an era of peace, harmony and prosperity. "The peoples of our countries want it, the influential business community is eagerly looking forward to it, the media favour it."

Political Maturity

The President said the leaders on both sides have to be sincere to develop confidence and trust in each other. "They have to be flexible enough to reach mutually acceptable solutions to previously intractable disputes and bold enough to bulldoze all opposition and risks enroute to peace."

Musharraf said "We have to show enough maturity to be able to resolve disputes bilaterally within a reasonable time line." He said "it is only our failure which then invites third party mediation, facilitation, involvement or encouragement.

Role of US on Kashmir

The US being the sole Super Power in a uni-Polar world has a responsibility for bringing a just peace for our future generations. Their involvement towards resolution of the thorny Kashmir Dispute can be of value if we get stuck ourselves."

The President said, "as responsible nuclear weapon states, we must demonstrate to the world that we have the courage and conviction to settle our problems in a civilized manner. We must demonstrate the courage and wisdom to write a new chapter of peaceful co-existence and mutually beneficial cooperation."

Distinct Warmth

President Musharraf said there was distinct warmth in sentiments in Pakistan and India to engage constructively.

The President said, respect for basic principles of inter-state conduct, developing relations based on sovereign equality are the safe and sure foundation within which Pakistan-India relations can thrive and prosper.

Moment of Hope and Optimism

"We in Pakistan look forward to sustaining the present positive momentum in our relations with India. This is a moment of hope and optimism. Let us nurture it carefully and make the process of engagement irreversible. Let us draw a balance between the vast opportunities that exist for mutual gain and the hazards of falling back to self generated hatred and despair."

He said, Pakistan and India must lead South Asia to new horizons of economic development. The Road-Map delineated for the Composite Talks must be filled with other pointers and time lines for joint endeavours to resolve differences and disputes. It should not take long to fashion together a Road-Map to progress and prosperity, reinforcing and utilizing the talent and genius of our peoples, using our resources optimally.

War on Terror

President Musharraf also shared his global vision with referernce to the war on terrorism and the need to address Muslims' concerns with justice.

The President also spoke about his vision of "Enlightened Moderation" to bring peace to the world. He also underlined the role Pakistan was playing in the fight against international terrorism. He said Pakistan was actively fighting against al-Qaeda along its western borders. "We will not allow al-Qaeda to maintain sanctuaries in Pakistan," he added.

Replies to Queries

The President later entertained questions from the leading Indians belonging to industry, media, business and different walks of life.

To a question about the stress on the centrality of Kashmir dispute in Pak-India ties, President said no leader in Pakistan can sideline the Kashmir dispute. This is the reality, he said, adding, the two countries could not move forward on CBMs without making progress on the Kashmir issue.

"We can't sprint on the CBMs while move at a snail's pace on the dialogue process, there has to be simultaneity." Similarly, he said real progress in trade and economic ties was linked to the settlement of all outstanding issues.

Scope for Trade

To a question he said, Pakistani businessmen were capable enough to be competitive with their India counterparts.

The President said there were tremendous scope for enhancing two-way trade and economic ties but added, there was a need to resolve political disputes. "We have to remove the environment of suspicion first and move forward to resolve disputes."

Agra, Islamabad Perspective

Asked about the difference in Agra and Islamabad, he replied, Pakistan has now been accepted as a party concerned in the Kashmir dispute.

To a question, he said, there was a deep desire for peace among Pakistanis with India and they wanted a harmonious relationship. He said, there were a handful of extremists in Pakistan as there were in India but added, this small minority should not be a hindrance in the way of peace process.

Vision on Peace Process

Replying a question, he said Pakistan was pursuing the peace process with sincerity and would adhere to the Joint Statement in letter and spirit.

Sino-India Ties

To a question, the said Sino-India ties could not be compared that with Pakistan-India relations as the two countries have fought more than one war and LoC was a recognized disputed boundary by the United Nations.

He, however, made it clear that there was an indigenous freedom struggle being waged in the Indian Held Kashmir.

Asks Media, Film Industry to show Maturity

President Musharraf asked the Indian film industry and media to show maturity and avoid negative tendencies to promote mutual understanding and closer relations.

Advice to Aishwarya Rai

Responding to a question by leading Indian actress Aishwarya Rai, the President asked her not work in anti-Pakistan films.

“No without Kashmir, there cannot be any progress on any other area like trade and culture” was the straight answer by the President in response to a question raised by stunning ex-Miss World Aishwaryria.

About greater interaction between media of Pakistan and India, he said there was more openness on part of Pakistan in allowing Indian media here.

Eschew Negative Tendencies

President Musharraf expressed concern that Indian media were promoting some negative tendencies and asked them to show more maturity and encourage better understanding and closer relations.

About greater interaction between media of Pakistan and India, he said there was more openness on part of Pakistan in allowing Indian media. He expressed concern that Indian media were promoting some negative perceptions and asked them to show still more maturity and encourage better understanding and closer relations.

Democracy in Pakistan

To a question, he said, there is a democracy in Pakistan, elections have been held and the next elections will be held in 2007.

The President said that human rights situation was better in Pakistan as compared to India. Similarly, he said, freedom of media and speech was also better in Pakistan than India.

Congratulates Indian Cricketers

The President congratulated India on its victory in the opening one-day clash against Pakistan and described the match as "interesting, well contested and extremely exciting."

He expressed happiness that people of Pakistan, particularly Karachi welcomed the Indian team with a warm heart and hoped that the same spirit would prevail throughout the series, set off in a delightful style today, Saturday. "It was an exciting and thrilling match," Musharraf remarked.

Impact

President Gen Pervez Musharraf was simply superb, candid, cool and as a matter of the fact President of Pakistan pleaded case of Kashmir in such a passionate manner that even the hawks of Indian press and establishment like Chander Shekhar and Editor of ‘India Today’ had to admit that Kashmir is a core issue and there is no running away from this fact. Eloquent Musharraf also reminded the Indian elite audience that you don’t throw stones while sitting in a glass house, anylsts say.

He was obviously referring to Gujarat communal riots, Golden Temple massacre of Sikhs and atrocities being committed on Kashmirs in the held valley. He grilled those who tried to corner him on the facade of democracy and civil liberties in Pakistan by pricking their minds with the ugly memories of Gujarat massacre.

The taller than life General refused to budge even an inch from his country’s principled position on Kashmir even after the honey laced praises by some Indians were showered on him in a bid to baffle him.

Gallant Musharraf

Musharraf certainly made every Pakistani feel very proud who watched him on national TV playing every ball on front foot Saturday night. Never before he presented Pakistan’s case so well and that too without being rigid.

He spoke logic which penetrated directly into the core of the hearts of select gathering of Indian businessmen, intellectuals, former ambassadors and services chiefs.

Musharraf must have also touched millions of Indian hearts when he said that it hurts him immensely to see that the two nations are moving in a vicious circle and are not ready to part with the ghost of past animosities. There is an invisible power of love and affection which is gripping the people of India and Pakistan and let this power lend strength to the leaders of two countries to resolve disputes including Kashmir. “There will be no lack of sincerity and goodwill from my side” the General concluded who received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his fifty minute frank interaction with the real India.

The Questioners

Those who asked questions included out-going Indian army chiefs, former ambassadors and experts on foreign policy.

They complemented the President Musharraf for his soldierly and statesman-like address to the assemblage of elites from all segments of the Indian society.