Aftermath of terror attack on Pakistan-bound Indian train reveals new maturity in India-Pakistan relationship

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Archrivals India and Pakistan, who have been to war three times, are apparently reaching a new level of diplomatic maturity. Departing from their past habit of immediately trading accusations every time terrorist attacks occurred in their territory, this time they joined together to vigorously condemn them.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf demonstrated statesmanship in their response to the bombing of the Samjhauta Express train, which plies the route between India's capital New Delhi and Lahore, Pakistan. Their warm personal relationship -- apart from their awareness that they cannot fight terrorism without unity -- has also been very helpful in building mutual trust between them.

The two leaders have set a tremendous precedent for future relations between the two countries. Since both countries have nuclear weapons, military rivalry between them poses a real danger to the world. If the spirit of co-operation demonstrated in the wake of the Samjhauta Express bombing can be sustained, the world could hope to soon see lasting peace and security in South Asia.

Rapid economic development has apparently been instrumental in the diplomatic rapprochement between the two nuclear states. India is now enjoying its new status as a growing global economic player, while Pakistan's economy is also flourishing rapidly. A prolonged conflict would tarnish the two neighbors' international stature.

Even the terrorists were perhaps surprised to hear the leaders of the two countries maintain Sunday that the terrorist attack would not affect their determination to search for a peaceful solution to tensions between them. Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf ordered their foreign ministers to go ahead with their bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday.

At least this time around, the terrorists failed to spark new tension. In July last year, India canceled a scheduled foreign ministerial meeting between the two countries after the bombing of a train in Mumbai.

"It is an act of terror designed to interfere and disrupt the peace process between India and Pakistan," PM Singh said after visiting injured blast victims. "The best tribute that we can pay to these passengers ... is to remain steadfast in our commitment to normalize relations between our two countries."

President Musharraf said, "Such wanton acts of terrorism will only serve to further strengthen our resolve to attain the mutually desired objective of sustainable peace between the two countries."

The world will closely watch how the two leaders will translate this commitment into concrete action. After three wars since 1947, including two over Kashmir, the leaders of India and Pakistan realize the last 60 years of hostility has been too costly. It would be better for the people of both countries if the same resources went into economic development.

However it is not easy to just change 60 years of hostility overnight. The two nations need extreme patience and endurance.

Many parties have profited from the prolonged conflict -- including terrorists, the military, politicians and business players -- and do not want to lose the lucrative business of war.

The two governments will not be able to bear the huge task of creating peace alone if their societies are unwilling to go along with them. But the two countries have indeed shown that they can work together for peace, because peace is one of the most important prerequisites for development.

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[MrsAyilliath 0]

I just came back from India a few hours ago and I have to tell you that the Indian community has spirit and resolve like no community I have seen before. This is the second time a bombing has occured while I was in India. The news reports are always so graphic-complete with body parts and the dead being shown. But one thing i noticed with this bombing and the one that occured in Mumbai back in July (I was there for that one too), is that people join forces to help in anyway they can. In times like the aftermath of a bombing, nothing matters-not caste, creed, nor religion. All of that is stripped away in times of crisis. The other thing that surprises me is how fast they get the trains up and running after each bombing. This time, less than 8 hours after the bombing, the train that was attacked was up and running again. With the Mumbai blast it was within 12 hours.

The Times of India did quite a few personalized pieces about some of the victims of the bombing and they are always heart wrenching. You said that both countries showed a new level of maturity and I agree. The prime minister of India and the president of Pakistan were scheduled to meet concerning the peace process and the one thing that was clearly impressive is that neither side pointed fingers at the other for being responsible for the bombing. This in itself is a huge leap from the reactions to past bombings.

Edited February 23, 2007 by Nambiar2be