Pakistan: Indian premier's call an icebreaker

Pakistan’s information minister today said a telephone call from Prime Minstar Zafarullah Khan Jamali to his Indian counterpart was a critical “icebreaker” in the stand-off between the South Asian nuclear rivals.

India was more cautious, describing yesterday’s move as “a good start”.

“We hope and expect that Prime Minister Jamali’s gesture will help ease tension in the region,” India’s Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said today.

In a peace overture, Jamali phoned Indian premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee to urge a resumption of talks. Jamali said he was ready to go to India or would welcome Vajpayee to Pakistan.

“I think the direct contact between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India was an icebreaker and we are very hopeful of a formal positive reply from New Delhi,” Rashid said.

In New Delhi, India’s former foreign secretary and ambassador to Pakistan, Mani Dixit, said the pressure is on for dialogue between the two uneasy neighbours, who have been quarrelling for decades over disputed Kashmir.

“The general pressure on India and Pakistan to resume dialogue to avoid nuclear confrontation is the main policy plank of the Americans,” Dixit said.

“Pressure is on. India is responding, so is Pakistan. But Prime Minister Vajpayee has said that cross-border terrorism must end,” he said. “I will be cautious.”

The two neighbours have fought two wars over Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in its entirety by both.

Indian Kashmir is Hindu India’s only Muslim-dominated state. A bitter and bloody secessionist uprising in Indian Kashmir is being waged by dozens of groups demanding either outright independence or union with Islamic Pakistan.

India accuses Pakistan of fomenting violence in its territory by training and arming militants fighting in Indian Kashmir. Pakistan says it gives only diplomatic and moral support.