KOLKATA, Dec 30: Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir today said some of the subjects of Indo-Pak relations should be revisited as sincere desire for better relations were expressed in statements, “but sometimes the ground reality appears to be contrary.”
“It is important that we start revisiting some of the subjects of Indo-Pak relations with an open mind,” he said.
“I acknowledge that in our statements, we express most sincere and profound desire of better relations, but sometimes the ground reality appears to be contrary. And that is where the media comes in, as it has to play a great role in changing the narrative,” Bashir told a meet-the-press programme at the Press Club here.
Noting that it was in the common interest of both the countries to have the best of relationships, he said, “We have a mechanism to address each others’ concerns in the domain of crime, terrorism etc.
“So, if we allow those mechanisms to work, it will lead to much better situations,” Bashir said, referring to the DGMO and DG level talks between BSF and Pakistani rangers.
“The two joints statements that were issued talk about constructive and forward-looking things. So, when you allow the people concerned to get in contact and work, the picture starts looking different. I think it’s time we really start to look at each other with different prisms,” Bashir said.
Holding that the leadership of both countries understood that they need to have friendly and cooperative relations, the envoy said it was time to move forward instead of remaining mired in stereotypes.
“It is generally understood by the leadership and the people of the two countries that they need to have good, friendly, cooperative relations. We need to sort of revisit and proceed on the basis of more enlightenment instead of remaining mired in stereotypes,” he said.
On the obstacles in Indo-Pak relations, Bashir said both countries needed to work on issues of convergence and minimise differences.
“There are issues we need to resolve peacefully. While we address those issues in a civilised and forward-looking manner, but with an eye to the future, there are certain issues on which we have differences. There are also many other issues on which we have convergences. So, I think we should build on convergences and minimise the differences,” he said.
The Pakistani envoy also noted that one of the main hurdles in the bilateral relations was the public perception about Pakistan in India.
“The biggest obstacle is the public perception here. In our country, we are working on it…You will hardly find any negative coverage about India in Pakistan.
“The role of media is very important in changing (the perception). We sincerely believe that we want to develop economically, we need a friendly and stable neighbourhood,” he said.
Bashir said more people-to-people contact between the two countries would help in improving ties.
Asked about the resolution adopted by Pakistani Parliament condemning execution of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla in Bangladesh for war crimes of 1971, Bashir said, “Parliament is a sovereign body.
“As you know very well, it is not proper for me or for anybody from Pakistan to be here in India and comment either on the Indian political process or on any situation in any other country.”
Replying to questions, Bashir said a regime change in India would not come in the way of bilateral ties between the two countries.
“I don’t think that regime change really matters. The relation between States are State relations. They are not personal or party-specific. It is the considered policy of Pakistan to forge friendly and cooperative relations with India,” he said.
“So, your question remains relevant in terms of reciprocation and it is my sense that people of India are desirous to see better relations with Pakistan in their own interest. That’s my sense,” Bashir said.
Asked about BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Bashir said, “We respect every leader of every political party. You said it rightly that it is your internal matter.
“We don’t have any opinion on that. Every leader of every political party represents the people of India. We are reaching out to the people of India and in democracy, whatever democracy delivers is something that is good. We believe in that.
“I think it is not fair for me to make any comment on any particular person or leader in the political process,” Bashir said, refraining from directly commenting on Modi.
The High Commissioner, accompanied by his wife, earlier met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and invited her to visit Pakistan.
“The Pakistan High Commissioner has conveyed to me the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to visit their country at a convenient time,” Banerjee said on Facebook. (PTI)
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