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New mechanism gets under way

India and Pakistan were not expected to achieve anything significant during the first meeting of the joint mechanism to counter terrorism. That being the case, the modest progress made during the two-day discussions must be welcomed. The two countries have readily agreed to use the mechanism to convey information that could help prevent violence and terrorist acts on the territory of the other. To go by the statement of a Pakistani journalist that India had at least on one occasion given President Pervez Musharraf advance information about an attempt on his life, it would appear that exchanges of this sort would not be novel. However, Islamabad apparently had some reservations about cooperating in investigations relating to acts of terrorism that had already been committed. With Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammed Khan playing a constructive and forward-looking role in this matter, Pakistan finally accepted the Indian argument that prevention would not be possible unless those who planned or instigated prior acts of terrorism were brought to book. Mr. Khan's intervention offers proof that the spirit of détente can prevail and discussions on sensitive subjects are unlikely to get overheated when the mechanism is under the control of the two Foreign Ministries. While the mechanism will hold regular sessions every quarter, information that needs to be conveyed on a priority basis will be passed on immediately.

It came as no surprise that Pakistan raised the issue of India's involvement in terrorist activity in Balochistan. Although the evidence Islamabad has offered is not known, New Delhi need not react reflexively and allege that the perpetrator is accusing the victim. What is important is that Pakistan too appears ready to use the mechanism instead of treating it as a game where it must go on the back foot to every ball India bowls. India too appears to have finally shed the habit of suspending bilateral discussions whenever terrorists perpetrate an atrocity. The horrific tragedy that hit the Samjhauta Express demonstrated that terrorist groups menace the people of both countries. It is far from certain that the security establishments of the two countries have firmly grasped this point. In terms of organisation, doctrine, and methodology, the police forces of India and Pakistan are remarkably similar since they developed from near-identical bases. While such similarity should facilitate cooperation, the antagonism nurtured over the past six decades remains a hindrance. The political leadership of India and Pakistan must take advantage of the present climate of amity to reform the mindsets of their security establishments.

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