India and Pakistan have a history of war and disputes. They each have nuclear programs, and are among the most populous nations in the world. The prospects for peace and stability in South Asia are very much uncertain. The threat is ever-present for continued conflict, and even war.
What can the United States do? Should it do anything?
About 100 people attended a panel discussion, “Pakistan and India: The Challenge Ahead,” Thursday night at the University and Whist Club in Wilmington. The program was sponsored by the Pakistan Project Committee of the Wilmington Rotary Club.
“In 1965 we had war, in 1971 we had war,” said Tridivesh Singh Maini, Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. Maini said tensions escalated as India and Pakistan developed their nuclear programs and continued to contest disputed border regions.
The situation has been inflamed, he says, by media in both countries. However, cultural exchanges and even sporting events such as cricket matches between India and Pakistan are starting to make a difference.
“There is no good war, and there is no bad peace,” Maini concluded.
Faizan Haq, who was born in Pakistan, now teaches at Buffalo State University and SUNY Buffalo. He said many in his homeland have a mentality of “us against all.” Haq added that the psyche of the people has to be understood “before other nations go about trying to solve their problems.”
Wilmington Rotary Pakistan Project Forum on India-Pakistan relations
Excerpts of interviews with panelist Tridivesh Singh Maini and Faizan Haq.
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“Our interest in a stable South Asia is tied to a stable Pakistan,” said the third panelist, University of Delaware Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations Muqtedar Khan. He added that India and Pakistan are going in opposite directions: as India’s economy continues to expand, Pakistan has been beset by natural disasters and has lost more people to terrorism than any other nation.
But, Khan, who was born in India, said Pakistan should “cut out the conspiracy theories.” In response, Haq said there was evidence of Indian involvement in the destabilization of Pakistan.
Alexy Chakravertti, who found out about the event while attending the Hindu Temple of Delaware, said he heard mostly “old-school” opinions.
“I think we need to take a fresh look at things in a modern context,” Chakravertti said. He believes resolving the dispute between India and Pakistan could start with more economic activity and cooperation to lay the foundation for other exchanges, such as cultural.
“I think both countries have enough reason to benefit from that economic relationship, and I think it would be more sustainable than anything else,” Chakravertti added.
Dr. Farooq Rasool of Lahore, Pakistan, is in Delaware for a month as part of the Pakistan Project exchange program. He also was instrumental in establishing relationships between medical professionals in Pakistan and India.
“I think America can play a very vital role in bringing these two nations together,” Rasool said.
According to Wilmington Rotary Pakistan Project Co-chair Lise Monty, the project is in its second year with the goal of supporting girls’ education in Lahore. Twelve members of the Wilmington Rotary visited Pakistan for one week in February.