CBM sans Kashmir
By the Editor

OF-LATE India has eventually given a nod to a revised protocol on resuming shipping services with Pakistan. As the Indian Information Minister says; it will allow lifting of cargo between the two countries by third country vessels as well as lifting of third country cargo by vessels of the two countries.

This is yet another Confidence Building Measure [CBM] aimed at promoting trade between the two countries.

Yet, there cannot be two opinions that increased trade relationship has an important role to play in melting down of the tension and bringing the two countries closer, it is also a fact that this is what India has all along been vying for.

India has been insisting that the two countries should put controversial issues at the back burner and move forward on the remaining ones.

This fits well in their scheme of things, as New Delhi is in an advantageous position to gain from the trade relations.

However, Pakistan has long been maintaining that meaningful trade links are only possible when there is a visible progress towards resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Top leadership of the country is on record of having said on a number of occasions that progress on Kashmir and all other issues should be in tandem.

It, nevertheless, seems that Pakistani position is getting diluted with the passage of time, as the country is conceding one-by-one almost all demands of India.

Though Pakistan’s apex leadership, steering the affairs of the country appears to be feeling optimistic about the outcome of the behind-the-scene efforts to resolve the conflict, there is nothing on ground to spark confidence.

Amid such a scenario, continuation of the talks without any timeframe is nothing but an exercise in futility.●