Historic Meeting Signals 'New Era' of Cooperation Between Pakistan and India

By Ivana Kvesic, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, July 28, 2011

In a milestone meeting on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan pledged to jointly increase and improve bilateral relations.

The two-and-a-half hour meeting, which was the first meeting between the two nuclear rivals since peace talks resumed this year following a 2008 bombing of Mumbai by Pakistani militants, proved to be a successful starting point for the two historically opposed nations.

Following the meeting, India's youngest ever and first female Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar said, "This is indeed a new era of bilateral cooperation between the two countries."

India and Pakistan have had a history of violent eruptions, including three full-scale wars.

The two countries have yet to settle the long-standing territorial dispute over the mountainous Himalayan territory of Kashmir, and border troops along both sides remain highly prevalent.

Both countries claim the entire territory of Kashmir and two of the three wars fought between the two countries were fought over Kashmir.

However, in a turn of events, the two leaders came together and agreed to work in cooperation to fight terrorism, boost bilateral trade, and increase tourism between the two countries.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna said, "I can confidently say our relations are on the right track."

Nevertheless, the talks did not lead to breakthroughs on the most pressing issues between the two countries and critics argue that without large concessions on either side, such as a withdrawal of troops along borders, the success of these talks remain minor in comparison to the potentiality of conflict to ensue.

The U.S. has a stake in peaceful bilateral relations between India and Pakistan and did send Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton to New Delhi last week to urge the stabilization of relations.

As the U.S. begins its heavy draw down of troops in Afghanistan, relations between Pakistan and India will be critical, as a proxy war between the two nuclear powers on Afghan soil would hamper the U.S. exit strategy and further destabilize the region.