Generation Why: South Asian Voices, Stimson Center, August 30, 2013
Arun Vishwanathan, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies
Aryaman Bhatnagar, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi
A simple search will throw up several definitions of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). Given deep suspicions of the ‘other’ and unresolved bilateral disputes, Indo-Pak CBMs are seen as a means to establish channels of communication and increase transparency between the two countries. Currently such mechanisms exist to increase military to military ties, greater people to people contact, provide advance notification of military manoeuvres and missile tests among others. Given cricket’s popularity in both countries, it has been seen as a possible CBM. Seen as a ‘quick fix’ to improve relations, given the sport’s popularity, in reality cricket might not translate into much in terms of better Indo-Pak relations.
Sorry A-A: You are both out,single digit scores. Stumped, trying to hit a six off a yorker from Stimson — baseball players who can never learn cricket.
The central problem with paki — which no CBMs can resolve — is existentialist. Paki defines itself as “not India” — it has no other definition of itself. Worse, it considers it has locus standi in the matter of the ‘condition of Muslims in India’. Whatever the legacies of the ill-conceived Nehru-Liaquat pact; that CBM of no merit finally died with the birth of Bangladesh.