Al Ahram, p.5, (24/2/2007)

The train of friendship is still running between India and Pakistan

By: Rehab Gouda Khalifa

In spite of the fact that more than 85 persons died and tens of others injured in the explosions of the friendship train between India and Pakistan, friendship train came back in to action only three days later because of the positive and quick response from the officials of both countries.

There is no doubt that both the parties are committed to go ahead with their peace talks, which is considered a daring defiance to terrorism and to attempts aiming at destabilizing relations between the two countries.

In fact, the two incidents put the issue of terrorism on top of the agenda of the talks of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries in their recent meeting in New Delhi. The two parties were strongly committed to eradicate terrorism; this sent a clear message to the terrorists indicating that terrorism is very active but the two countries would continue their cooperation to uproot those who adamantly seek to destroy the peace process for personal gains. Each of the two countries used to work alone on combating terrorism and preventing infiltration of militants across the border. However, the coincidence of both explosions and the loss of several victims on both sides in less than 48 hours made it inevitable that there is a necessity that they should work together to normalize relations.

Terrorism represents a threat for both countries and makes their destinies linked together, whether they liked it or not. Yet, doubt will still loom over the fragile relations. In spite of the efforts exerted by the two governments to break ice, accusations are occupying a large part of the dialogue between the two parties, given the recurrence of terrorist attacks. Even the cultural and political circles that want to calm down the situation and stress the importance of stability, accuses Pakistan from time to time of not exerting enough efforts for getting rid of militants infiltrating the border into the Indian part of Kashmir.

Skeptics believe that Pakistan will come out of the talks with verbal pledges without taking any tangible steps. In spite the fact that the majority of the victims of recent explosions were Pakistanis, there was evidence that Pakistani militant perpetrated the two incidents. The police put the blame on militants affiliated to Taliban who are hiding in the remote tribal regions of Pakistan. This accusation might refer to that there are afghani militants involved in those attacks, which might result in disputes between Pakistan and another country.