Forward and onward,After effects of the Uri attack: edit in Pakistan Today, Oct 25, 2016

The terrorist attack in Uri diverted the world’s attention from the heroic movement of the Kashmiri people bringing instead the issue of terrorism on center stage. What is more, the attack led to cross border exchanges of fire that still continue. These attacks have led to evacuations of the civilian population from border areas and casualties among both the civilians and border guards. On Sunday, a man and a child died while several were injured on this side of the Working Boundary while a BSF man was killed and three injured on the Indian side. The attacks have further added to the tension between the two countries.
Confrontation has benefited neither Pakistan nor India. India’s efforts to isolate Pakistan turned out to be futile both at the BRICS moot and Brimstec talks. New Delhi was shocked to note that despite its protest a Russian military contingent visited Pakistan for a joint exercise with Pakistan army while the US maintained a balanced approach towards the dispute. China, meanwhile, stood by Pakistan. Whether India likes it or not the US needs Pakistan’s support in bringing peace to Afghanistan while Russia wants to work together with Islamabad to ward off threats from IS and Al Qaeda who are keen to establish a foothold in Russia and the Central Asian republics.
Despite various countries having asked Pakistan and India to hold talks none is willing to go beyond tendering the advice. On Sunday, Tariq Fatemi called on Britain to help restart talks with India. There is a need on the part of both the countries to realise that unless they themselves take an initiative there is little hope of improvement in their relations. For this, Pakistan needs to proceed on its own to bring those behind the Mumbai attack to justice and ensure that terrorist groups are not allowed to use Pakistan territory as a staging post. PM Modi on the other hand should leave political exigencies aside and respond positively to Nawaz Sharif’s offer to restart talks on all subjects – including Kashmir.http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/10/25/comment/forward-and-onward/