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September 2000 THE BEGINNING OF THE FUTURE
A Joint Approach Paper by Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad, and
International Centre for Peace Initiatives, Mumbai/New Delhi
(Institute of Regional Studies is Pakistan’s leading multi-disciplinary research institute. The scope of its work covers most parts of Asia. The Institute has an active publications programme including books, journals, monographs and a press monitoring service. International Centre for Peace Initiatives is a think-tank involved in conceptualizing innovative approaches to peace. It has launched pioneering dialogues bringing together representatives of differing interests and perspectives.)
PREFACE
It is known that India and Pakistan have had a very difficult relationship for the last 50 years. We have gone through full-scale wars, smaller battles, ongoing conflict over the status of Kashmir, economic disputes, and a great psychological divide. Some time or other, some one or either must take lead, to turn the wheel of time. For too long we have been trapped in the past. It’s more than urgent to begin the future.
Of late many concerned citizens in India and Pakistan have made contributions towards new thinking about resolving conflicts and promoting co-operation between the two countries. Our institutes have participated in the processes in different ways. We are now excited to come together to jointly suggest a road map to begin the future.
We hope that this paper will make a positive
contribution to the present debate in our countries. We dedicate this paper to goodwill and wisdom, which we believe exist in our countries but are presently latent. It’s time to activate ourselves in sincerity and good faith. It’s time to begin the future.
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Sundeep Waslekar Founding Director International Centre for Peace Initiatives Mumbai, India. |
Bashir Ahmad President Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad, Pakistan. |
