The Hindu Business Line : Indo-Pak détente: Waking up to realpolitik

India and Pakistan have had their share of conflicts. Now, at last, realisation seems to have dawned that years of economic development have been lost in the process.

AT THE end of the Second World War, the economies of the two major adversaries in Europe — Germany and France — lay in shambles.

After three such conflicts, two of them at the world level, spanning over half a century, the victors and the vanquished were sick and tired of trying to be one up. It was in this situation that Robert Schuman, France's Foreign Minister, came up with the brilliant idea of having six nations — France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg — form the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951.

The ECSC had a single point agenda — to place Franco-German production of coal and steel under a common High Authority, an organisation that would be open to participation by other European nations. Having had the dubious distinction of serving as the sinews of war for almost half a century, the solidarity in the production of coal and steel between these two industries would ensure that any future war between France and Germany would not only become unthinkable but also made impossible.

Thus, out of the ashes of the Second World War rose an era of co-operation among the European nations on an unprecedented scale, culminating in the formation of one of the most powerful trading bloc — the European Union or the EU.

Since gaining Independence, India and Pakistan too have had their share of conflicts — one for almost every decade — though nowhere near those in Europe, but equal in impact on the fragile economies of both. Now, at last, realisation seems to have dawned that years of economic development have been lost in the process.

The Pakistani President, Gen Pervez Musharraf, appears be more than willing to extend a hand in friendship, now that he has consolidated his position and has the big brother — the US — giving him all the encouragement to do so. The `K' word no longer appears a stumbling block, with the Srinagar-Muzzafarabad bus service, effective April 7, being a small but significant step towards confidence-building measures. The time now appears ripe for a major offensive, though this time for burying the hatchet for good.

It took almost four decades for the Schuman initiative to bear fruit, though language, religion, and other cultural differences were a few but major stumbling blocks.

On the other hand, fortunately, Pakistan and India share a common history, spoken language (Hindustani), culture, family values and traditions. Yes, religion could prove to be a major hurdle, but then India with the world's second largest Muslim population — much larger than Pakistan's — has consistently managed to keep the secularism flag flying high.

However, while keeping the hawks at bay, who from time to time insist on sabre rattling, pontificating about defence preparedness, and worrying about keeping the nuclear options open, prudence demands that India make all effort to forge strong alliances with Pakistan and China.

With the former on the basis of a common spoken language and culture, and with the latter on the grounds that they are the two oldest civilisations. Undoubtedly, India and Pakistan have common areas of strength which they could share. Teaming up in the production of cotton textiles could see some unique materials and designs taking over the markets in the US and the EU. The Railways could provide an important land bridge between the South-East Asian countries and the EU.The gas pipeline from Iran to meet energy needs of India and Pakistan could be another area of common interest. Last, but not the least, a super India-Pakistan cricket team would have no match in the entire world.

Rome was not built in a day and nor did the EU emerge overnight. Keeping the High Authority in charge of the ECSC effective, yet accountable, was a tricky issue that was sorted out by making it responsible to an Assembly, now called the European Parliament, which had the powers to dismiss it, while judicial recourse was ensured by the European Court of Justice.

Undoubtedly, it has not been a smooth sailing for the EU. The European Defence Community (EDC), formed to set up a combined defence capability, was abandoned in 1954, on account of serious differences among some of the major players, though it was later re-incarnated as IRFOR.

Operation Fortress Europe has been a major exercise on an unprecedented scale in long-term diplomacy. For over 20 nations with different languages and cultures to come together purely for economic survival speaks volumes about the political leadership of the States involved. It would, indeed, be a historic moment, requiring a pragmatic approach towards a close alliance with Pakistan. In the process, the expenditure on Defence could be slashed by both countries, saving precious foreign exchange. .

Waking up to realpolitik, after years wasted away in the Non-Aligned Movement, India has now belatedly tried to forge together a trading bloc with neighbouring countries through the SAARC, albeit with limited success. It missed out on entering some of the major trading blocs — Asean and APEC — and has little or no voice in this part of the world in spite of the size of the market and economy. Robert Schuman, perhaps, struck the right note at an opportune moment, when Germany's war machine lay totally smashed, its cities were ruins, and its economy was in a shambles. Waiting for such a psychological moment may prove to be extremely costly, for both India and Pakistan.

(The author is a former Member of the Railway Board. He can be reached at acharya@ernet.in)

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