With US Help, India-Pakistan Tension Eases

Revamped leadership in India and Pakistan and some behind-the-scenes encouragement from the US could lead to negotiations over the disputed Kashmir region, the New York Times reports. But while there are shimmers of hope, the relationship is still strained. “I am happy to meet you,” India’s PM told Pakistan’s president today, “but my mandate is to tell you that the territory of Pakistan must not be used for terrorism.”

Insiders say that though Pakistan is not doing enough to stymie terrorists, the lack of an attack on India since Mumbai is promising. A Pakistani diplomat allowed that “this is only happening because of Washington’s pressure,” but said the engagement “breaks some ice.” An Indian official painted the arrangement as a quid pro quo. “India is showing restraint to facilitate America’s war and in turn America can help ensure India doesn’t have a war to fight.” (More Kashmir stories.)