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A Matter of Trust
One of the most difficult questions for India is whether Pakistan can be trusted to honor any peace that might be brokered between the two nations. Even if India has no greater desire than a healthy relationship with Pakistan, such a relationship will simply not be possible if Pakistan does not share a similar desire.
Some patterns cannot be altered. Some hatreds are so ingrained that they cannot be overcome. The argument can be made that we are dealing with such a situation here. India and Pakistan were born of a deeply-rooted religious conflict. Over the years wars have been waged between these two nations. The brutal experience of war has brought neither illumination nor a rejection of armed conflict. As recently as 2002 India and Pakistan stood once again on the brink of war and only the intervention of other nations prevented the latest round in the Indian-Pakistani conflict.
With such a history of unrelenting hatred and conflict, there is little reason to assume that Pakistan would be willing to enter into a more productive diplomatic relationship with India. Pakistan has a long-standing hatred for India. For India to lose sight of this reality would be foolish at best, suicidal at worst.
On the other hand, human history is replete with examples of bitter rivals reaching diplomatic solutions to their conflicts. There is no reason for India and Pakistan not to be the latest example of this phenomenon.
Trust among nations does not have to be based on complete agreement and total adoration. India does not have to believe that Pakistan will suddenly become its greatest ally. What it has to believe is that Pakistan has a reason to seek peace. If India can see that Pakistan will be well-served by a thaw in relations then it will be much more willing to trust Pakistan to honor a state of peace. Certainly there are numerous reasons for Pakistan to end this state of conflict with India. The resources that are devoted to the preparation for war against India would be much better focused on improving the Pakistani economy and quality of life for its people. In addition, by decreasing tensions with India, Pakistan will improve its relations with the rest of a world that fears another Indian-Pakistani war. Finally, Pakistan must recognize the futility of war with India, as well as the unacceptable costs associated with such a cataclysmic clash. Pakistan can be trusted to work toward peace because peace is ultimately in Pakistan’s best interest.
Do you believe that India can trust Pakistan to honor any agreements that are ultimately negotiated? Would such trust be an act of courage and optimism or blindness and foolhardiness on the part of India?
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