India-Pakistan relations are unable to make a sustained recovery in spite of the strong positives conferred by circumstances: the natural affinity of the people of the two countries toward one another on account of custom, culture, language and even religion (although this was used as a factor to divide); the evident trade and investment complementarities that exist; and the common positions the two sides so naturally take on global concerns.
The stumbling block has been Islamabad’s policy, animated by the preferences of the Pakistan military since the 1970s, of dispatching terrorist missions to India on a regular basis, the worst of which was the attack on Mumbai in 2008.
Pakistan has consistently denied this charge, of course. But there has suddenly arisen a narrow window of opportunity to restore calm to ties. At proceedings before a designated anti-terrorism court working out of the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, witnesses on Saturday identified men associated with planning or executing the attack on Mumbai. After first denying any link with the 2008 massacre, after intense international pressure Pakistan agreed to set up this court. The witnesses are yet to be cross-examined. But if Islamabad pursues this trail in right earnest (which many doubt, given the past record), bilateral relations are certain to look up.
If terrorism is got out of the way, every single issue Pakistan considers important can be approached with balance and mutual respect, and locked doors can be unlocked. Much depends on the Pakistan military.