When Imran Khan was sworn in as Pakistan’s prime minister five weeks ago, he vowed to do his utmost to bridge the 71-year-old impasse with India. Those wishes seemed sincere when Mr Khan wrote to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the words: “We owe it to our peoples, especially future generations, to peacefully resolve all outstanding issues.”
But as world leaders gather this week at UNGA to pursue diplomacy, hopes have again been dashed of finding a solution to this age-old rivalry on its sidelines. A day after agreeing to talks, India cancelled them, blaming its rival’s “evil agenda”.
This is not the first time talks have collapsed. When Mr Modi flew to Lahore to meet Nawaz Sharif in 2015, both returned to warlike rhetoric within barely a week. Those tinderbox relations speak to deep-rooted differences stretching back to Partition in 1947. Since then, the two nations have fought three wars over disputed Kashmir and have initiated – and squandered – innumerable chances for negotiation.
But even by those standards, the latest dispute seems gratuitous. India’s reasons – the killing of one of its soldiers in Kashmir and the release of Pakistani stamps honouring a Kashmiri militant – are unconvincing, since New Delhi knew about the soldier’s death when it agreed to the meeting and the stamps predate Mr Khan’s election. But Mr Khan’s reaction was unrestrained and unconstructive as he tweeted: “Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response.”
Meanwhile citizens on both sides – who share more commonalities of culture, food and language than they do differences – celebrated together while watching their nations compete at cricket in Dubai. It is hard to overstate the importance of peace between the two rivals but it begins with meaningful dialogue. The livelihoods of millions would be improved by greater trade and bilateral relations.
But with no consistency from their leaders, peace will remain elusive. There are also questions about the sway of Pakistan’s army. Yet again, an opportunity has been missed. Both leaders must abandon their enmity for real peace – for the sake of their citizens, who deserve nothing less.
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Background: Chemical Weapons
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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