As a consequence of the Mumbai massacre, the relationship between India and Pakistan has now come under the microscope.

With his own wife having been killed by terrorists and looking at other acts of terrorism viz. the explosion of bombs at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad (where he was scheduled to have dined that evening), Asif Ali Zardari's statement that the Pakistani government did not promote the Mumbai Massacre can be believed.

But the same thing can't be said of Pakistan's armed forces or its intelligence apparatus which does have rogue elements. Pakistan's military governments or civil governments have not yet been able to control these elements.

They have not been able to eliminate terrorist attacks on their own soil by their own people! How can one forget Nawaz Sharif's helplessness when he admitted he didn't know anything about the Kargil misadventure!

If Pakistan wants to have a lasting friendship with India, it must take concrete "confidence building measures," starting with the extradition of 20-odd terrorists/criminals as demanded by the Indian government. These terrorists/criminals have indulged in terroristic and criminal activities in India and India has the right to interrogate them and punish them if found guilty.

Until such steps are taken by Pakistan -- to show its genuine desire for good neighborly relations with India -- the Indian government should close down all links, road, rail and air, and withdraw easy visa provisions for Pakistani nationals.

Unless Pakistan shows a genuine change in attitude towards fighting terrorism, India should not accept Pakistan's sweet talk and stop considering it as a friendly neighbor.

Pakistan has managed to survive on money doled out to it by America under one pretext or another. While Pakistan in this condition is a nuisance to India, India will prosper all the same because it has learned to survive the hard way.

But what will Pakistan gain from such enmity?

It is high time Pakistan found out which side of the bread is buttered and made an honorable friendship with India.

K.B. KALE

Jakarta

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