Pakistan’s economy has survived three wars with India and a long history of tension with its much bigger neighbour. But this time its own domestic economic and political problems, combined with tension on the border with Afghanistan, are running smack into a global financial crisis that will make it harder for its traditional allies to bail it out.
So is it time to break the taboos and ask: Does Pakistan’s best hope of economic recovery lie in making peace with India?
President Asif Ali Zardari certainly seemed to think so when he told the Wall Street Journal in an interview last weekend that India was no threat to Pakistan and said that “there is no other economic survival for nations like us. We have to trade with our neighbours first.”
India’s Business Standard says in an editorial that Zardari is right to say India is no threat and that Pakistan needs to focus on reviving its economy. “The question, though, is not what President Zardari thinks about these issues, but whether the larger Pakistani establishment (including, most importantly, the army) shares his perspectives. At the moment, Mr Zardari seems to be running ahead of the pack,” it says.
India too is beginning to worry about the impact on its own economy of the global financial crisis, as these articles in the Hindustan Times and the Economic Times suggest. So it might also welcome the advantages of higher regional trade.
A chance for peace?
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Since the shadow of war is clearing it is great respite to India, not because we are scared of the war but because the damage would be more on us as we have a great future unlike Pakistan who is busy moving around begging money for basic survival. Just one question to any Pakistani… Do you know who actually is controlling the country is it Zardari or the Military or the ISI. I know that the preseident reigns but does not rule so can actually enlighten me with this answer. How will you’ll survive when the Taliban issue is resolved or diluted how will you survive because it is quite unlikely that you will get any money from the USA then.
- Posted by Tejas DesaiPakistan can promote small scale industries of making bombs, grenades, rifles, etc. Thus Pakistan can earn good money by exporting to other terrorist countries and can earn good money.
- Posted by Prasadits now a perfect time for pakistani’s civil government to take help from india or china whoever it trust to fight it deadly in built terrorist so that the whole sub continent sleeps in peace . pakistani guys and girls you don’t have to fear india because we never attack any nation but we try everthing in our country to become self sufficient in every area of life hope you people want the same free democrate air so fight for your democrate free life from your home grown terrorist
- Posted by anupI am very sad reading india and pakistan guys exchanging words here.
to me India is not issue to Pakistan.
Pakistan is victim of past mistake commited by its army and ISI.They never allow democracy mature in Pakistan.
Still they hold key for any gov to survive.
they are last one to have diplomatic relation with Taliban. They informed bin laden abt US attact on him in 1999 when US taped satilite calls.
pak Army is one who distorted Pakistan internally.
- Posted by MahidharPakistan is in state of denial.They are in state of denial for years.It time to mend there ways and concentrate which fetch them jobs and inprove there economy.
Views of zardari is correct but does army has simillar option?
One joke abt pakistan.
- Posted by Mahidharall countries has army but in pakistan army has country.
Dear Mahaprasad,
- Posted by Pakistani girlWE are sooooooooo NOT jealous of you guys, get this straight into your minds. We are neighbours and therefore should try to repect eachotherz feelings. V respect you guyz hence want same respect in return. So think before you write in the future. cuz if i start saying sumthing , there will be no stopping. Thnakyou
Pakistans salvation does rely on India, it has to accept that fact and get over its insecurities. I don’t even understand why us Americans supports the terrorist state of Pakistan when it still clearly engages in embassy bombings. If Pakistan refuses to change then there is no place for it in the modern world…
- Posted by DevYOU PAKISITANI
- Posted by replytopakisu always try to hurt india,i want to say to all those pakistani first save your own country then think about others(which is going to break anyway).Due to your policies(like supporting taliban and jihad in kashmir)
You are at this point where u r just sitting and can’t do much.
kyunki(Because) there is proverb THOSE WHO THINK ABOUT DESTROYING OTHERS GOD PUNISH THEM BADLY.
[...] month ago, I asked in this blog whether the salvation of Pakistan’s economy lay in making peace with India. At the time, it seemed as though regional trade might provide the cushion to see both countries [...]
- Posted by Pakistan, India and the future at BlogbhartiActually ,Pakis r envious to our glory.
- Posted by MahaprasadActually Pakis r unable to understand India’s role in world peace in the world because of their ignorance.India is not competiting with u people, pakis.Give Thanks to GOD,Pak survived having been declared as a terror state.BAL BAL BACH GAYE.We won’t be losing anything not keeping relation with u.It’s better for u to keep frienship with us.India is heading to be a SUPERPOWER.Don’t be so envious that it could halt your own progress.We need peace,not a war at any cost.
- Posted by MahaprasadDear Pkaistanis,
- Posted by Tejas.desaiI read some of the posted comments on this page and i beelive some of you still beleive that you are very good because you have nuclear power. Just one question, do you guys actually have access to your nuclear facility because after what happened with your nuclear leakage i am sure you have no access to your facility. How ever, we as Indians have all to loose and nothing to gain in the event of a big war, i mean we cannot destroy Pakistan any further can we? Think about how we can help each other to improve our economy and make sure we are able to feed all the hungry first.India is sitting on reserves that are far beyond your imagination.The amount of foreign reserves your country has,is generated by just 20 buildings in a place called Mind space in mumbai lets not even talk about the whole of Mumbai or even India, thats anually of course.This is testing time for you and i beleive its better to bend to survive.Co-exisatnace is the mantra for our good and for yours as well.
so in my opinion INDIA should support PAKISTAN as PAKISTAN is INDIA’s BROTHER, nobody can deny this fact. It should prevent OBAMA and other aliens to make any move in PAKISTAN.And in turn PAKISTAN should try everything to make peace in INDIA. This is the only way both countries can progress.Otherwise Aliens will come and destroy both of them as they have always done in the past….
AN INDIAN
- Posted by neutral