The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) sponsored four participating Indian authors for Karachi literary festival. It shows a willingness to maintain people to people contacts with Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also said a number of times that he distinguishes between the Pakistan government and its people. Ties with the people of Pakistan will bolster India’s effort to contain anti-India terrorism in Pakistan. The situation at this stage is not conducive to bilateral talks with Pakistan. The Uri terror attack on an Indian army base rankles and since then Islamabad has shown no intention which seems genuine to take action against terrorism in that country. In fact, it seems state- sponsored. India has to rely entirely on diplomatic endeavours to put Pakistan on the dock.
At the same time, it is a fact that the people of Pakistan are also victims of terrorism in their country. They groan under terrorist attacks, subversion of democracy and militarism. India has to be friendly with the sensible elite of the Pakistan people. People to people contacts are the only way to cement the bond. The sub-continent should be an area of peace in its own interest. Pakistan has done well to lift its ban on Hindi films in the country. The Indian Government should lift the odious ban on Pakistan artistes performing in India. Cultural exchanges are the best form of people to people contact. Pakistan’s show of liberalism should be redoubled by India in every sphere.
