Powell’s Outstretched Hand

For diametrically opposed views on terrorism, look no further than India and Pakistan. To India, the guerrillas who cross from Pakistan into the Indian state of Kashmir are terrorists, killing soldiers, police and civilians singly or by the score. To Pakistan, the commandos are freedom fighters seeking autonomy or independence for a region of spectacular beauty and intimidating harshness. U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell’s visit to both nations next week thus comes at a historic time, when the two countries agree on something.

India and Pakistan, once a single nation, have fought three wars during slightly more than half a century. They both have nuclear weapons. And now, both support the U.S.-led campaign against the Taliban and the forces of Al Qaeda. In addition to thanking them for their backing, Powell has the opportunity to try to persuade both to end the violence in Kashmir and resume talks on the divided state, the source of two of their wars.

Pakistan borders Afghanistan and is the only nation that recognizes the Taliban as its legitimate government. Pakistan backed the Taliban’s accession to power and was happy to befriend a regime that India loathes.

Now, in a risky move, the Pakistani general who seized power in a coup two years ago has cast his lot firmly with Washington. Gen. Pervez Musharraf has reshuffled his security apparatus to remove the generals who were most supportive of the Taliban, replacing them with more centrist figures. He has also cracked down on anti-American, pro-Taliban demonstrations. If Musharraf can strengthen his grip on power and encourage the moderate Islamists in his overwhelmingly Muslim nation, he may be able to finish the job of professionalizing his army and ridding the officer corps of extremists. He had made tentative steps toward army reform before Sept. 11; now he appears to be moving more swiftly and surely.

Powell should encourage Musharraf and his supporters, while pointing out to India that it benefits from a stable, moderate Pakistan rather than one ruled by Islamic radicals with nuclear weapons. For too long India and Pakistan have looked at their relationships with other countries as a zero-sum game; if one was up, the other had to be down.

New Delhi and Washington were at odds throughout the Cold War, as India leaned toward the Soviet Union. The Clinton and Bush administrations moved to repair ties, and Powell should emphasize to India that the United States appreciates the offer of its bases as staging areas and wants to deepen the overall relationship. In Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, the message again should be one of appreciation coupled with frankness: Terror attacks like the one in Kashmir this month that killed 38 people have to stop. Pakistan needs to corral the guerrillas who cross into India.

Musharraf phoned Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee this week to suggest a resumption of recent failed talks. Vajpayee, faced with militants in his own country urging an attack on Pakistan, was noncommittal.

President Clinton, who visited the two countries last year, once described South Asia as the most dangerous place on Earth. A moment exists now for the region to change course. India and Pakistan should both grasp the sea change in international relations, start dealing with Kashmir and take advantage of Powell’s outstretched hand.