Agra, July 17
Where do we go from here? The failure of the Indo-Pak summit at this historic place need not be taken as reaching the end of the road in bilateral relations. The threads of peace will have to be picked up. This is not only a necessity but a compulsion with the subcontinent being a high tension spot coupled with global realities.

In the first place, the USA is unlikely to be a silent spectator and allow developments to drift in this region. This has been made abundantly clear by Stephen Cohen, senior fellow for policy at the Brookings Institution.

Second, harsh economic realities leave little choice for the two countries, especially Pakistan, to block the peace process beyond a point. Islamabad is already under severe pressure from international aid agencies to mend its ways and come to terms with India.

Third, while the Islamic fundamentalists and militant groups in Pakistan might derive some satisfaction from the Agra setback, the growing segment of liberal elements in Pakistan is an unhappy lot. This is particularly so because of the high expectations from the Vajpayee-Musharraf summit with a view to putting Indo-Pak relations on an even keel.

Disappointment was writ large on the faces of Pakistani mediapersons as news spread about the deadlock in the talks between Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and General Pervez Musharraf. For a large number of Pakistani journalists, it was their first exposure to this country. They appeared relaxed as the momentum in the resumed dialogue picked up on the first day on Sunday.

But then things changed dramatically for the worst as the day progressed on Monday. It needs to be understood that the old mindset will not change overnight with General Musharraf handicapped by the lack of proper summit preparations. Practically everything was left unattended to in the process of one-to-one dialogue. Such an approach can help provided the person at the other end comes for discussions without rigidities and is prepared to adjust and be responsive to India’s concerns and viewpoints as well.

This was not to be, which means General Musharraf prevailed over President Musharraf.

Fourth, General Musharraf came with a set mind and not with an open mind as he claimed. His pre-summit rhetoric and exhibition of angularities during the summit gave enough indication that only a last minute miracle could salvage the talks.

Even during the late night meeting yesterday between the two leaders, some mediapersons continued to harbour hopes of a miracle and the elusive breakthrough. An air of anxious expectancy had turned to despair that bilateral relations are irrevocably pointed to turbulent and violent times ahead.

The question is not of the right phraseology for Jammu and Kashmir as an issue or whether cross-border terrorism should figure in the proposed joint statement but of Pakistani intentions.

As usual, Pakistan delegates were obsessed with Kashmir and not prepared to see the issue in the light of the new stark realities of the havoc caused by trigger-happy militants in J and K.

Fifth, General Musharraf may be a tough soldier but he has proved to be a tactless ruler. He does not know the art of diplomacy. Nor does he know how to conduct himself during serious negotiations. Perhaps, he was not serious about the dialogue. From all accounts, he appeared more keen on drawing publicity mileage from the unprecedented Agra summit to project himself as a clever and smart leader.

He did succeed in acquiring legitimacy as a ruler, but at the end of the day his calculations went haywire, thanks to his close advisers.

General Musharraf overpitched himself in the game of brinkmanship and lost heavily in the bargain. Indian leaders proved too wily and the visiting dignitary had to return to Islamabad empty-handed. This will certainly not add to his stature back home.