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SAGAR Addresses Kashmir Issue

Kashmir was very much on the minds of the members of South Asian Group for Action and Reflection, which promotes dialogue and discussion among South Asian immigrants here. Among its members is Dr Naved Musharraf, brother of General Pervez Musharraf who took over power in Pakistan following a coup there.

At the recent SAGAR conference, Dr Ved Pratap Vaidik, chairman of the Indian Council of Foreign Relations, said nuclearization was a greater concern than Kashmir for the policy makers of south Asia.

While he welcomed General Musharraf's statement that Pakistan is ready for a meaningful dialogue, he questioned the general's credentials in trying to enter such a dialogue. For India, he felt the only way of reviving the Lahore process and rebuilding trust is when Musharraf renounces aggression and distances himself from Kargil.

Consul-general of India (Chicago) J C Sharma called upon India and Pakistan to build on the areas of agreement to facilitate an improvement in relations.

Sharma said areas like trade, economic and business contacts, people-to-people contact and sports should be made stronger. On the other hand, he suggested that in the areas of disagreement, the status quo should be maintained until the time is more suitable to resolve these issues. After increased trade, when peace and tranquillity had been established, more contentious issues could be more easily tackled, he said.

Calling Kashmir a "hard reality of disagreement" which was also an "emotional issue", he said: "Give and take was possible only if the issue is de-emotionalized."

Speaking for Pakistan, Dr Arshad Mirza, a physician who is a past president of the Pakistani-American Federation, said even if a solution to the Kashmir issue could not be found it would help if India agreed that such a dispute existed and that an attempt would be made to resolve it. In Pakistan's view, India's denial that the Kashmir dispute even exists does not help matters, he said.

Earlier opening the conference, Harinder Lamba, SAGAR co-ordinator, said its members dream of a south Asia where nations are at peace, trade and economic co-operation flourishes, spending on human development increases as spending on defense decreases and the basic needs of the people are met.

This can be achieved only if the empowerment and development of people is given greater emphasis than the present model of progress, he said.

SAGAR is located at 6921, Creekside Rd, Downers Grove, IL-60516. For more information, call (630) 964-2258 or e-mail: hlamba@aol.com

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