Devil's Advocate: Ex-NSA says N-deal is a must for India

QUOTE UNQUOTE: Brajesh Mishra says it will be a loss for India not to go ahead with the N-deal.

          

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Keywords: National Security Advisor, Brajesh Mishra

Karan Thapar: I understand. Let me take you to some comments that Asif Ali Zardari made in an interview. He said that India and Pakistan should no longer feel hostage to the UN resolutions on Kashmir. Instead they should set the Kashmir issue aside for later, for the wiser generation to handle and get on with building up their relationship. He may not be able to live up to all of that as a politician. But that apart, how important a statement was that?

Brajesh Mishra: It is a very important statement. What has been happening in the last four years? The two governments have been talking on Kashmir and at the same time, there have been other movements between the two countries. So, what Mr Zardari is saying is a continuation of the policies that have already been put in place there. It is important to remember this because one must not come to the conclusion that Mr Zardari is taking a position which is opposed to the position taken earlier by Musharraf. It is not a good thing to do.

Karan Thapar: Is it not right to interpret Asif Zardari as if he is taking a position in opposition to Musharraf's earlier positions? But nonetheless, the implication of what Zaradri said, not just the tone, but in content was that Kashmir is not a core issue, in the sense of being a stumbling block. It can be put aside. You can make advances elsewhere and then you can come back and sort out Kashmir with the benefit of advances in the relationship that have taken place.

Brajesh Mishra: Well of course, Mr Zardari has to decide whether it can be set aside or not. My view is that people of Pakistan are ready. They have been ready for some years to move forward the relationship between India and Pakistan.

Karan Thapar: In other words, Asif Zardari is only reflecting a popular mood?

Brajesh Mishra: In my view, yes.

Karan Thapar: He is the first politician courageous enough to reflect what is already the mood of his people?

Brajesh Mishra: In my opinion, Mr Nawaz Sharif was also working towards that end.

Karan Thapar: Asif Zardari said one other critical thing. He said the way to improve relationship through trade. When the two countries develop inter-dependence they will have a permanent stake in close relationship. Does that sound like a wise strategy?

Brajesh Mishra: I think it is part of a strategy. My view in context of what Zardari has said is that in a climate of improved relationship between India and Pakistan the problem of Kashmir will acquire another dimension than what is now.

Karan Thapar: But that is the right way to go down to?

Brajesh Mishra: In my view, yes.

Karan Thapar: Build trade, build all variety of contacts and then come back and tackle Kashmir.

Brajesh Mishra: For example, Pakistani movies being shown here. Our movies—I believe there will be little more liberalization about Indian movies being shown in Pakistan. That kind of contact.

Karan Thapar: The builds the right atmosphere, then you can tackle Kashmir.

Brajesh Mishra: Quite right.