Dialogue with Pakistan will be futile for India

This refers to the article, “Contain the leopard. It won't change its spots” (July 22) by Ashok K Mehta. America and Cuba lived without diplomatic links for decades — they did not believe in dialogues. Pakistan wants to annex Kashmir on the grounds of religion, though only six million Muslims live there while 180 million Muslims live across India. Pakistan will not grant the ‘most favoured nation’ status to India for trade and will not provide access to Afghanistan through its territory. Dialogue with Pakistan through the back channel will be futile. 

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Pakistan next year for a regional summit, he should not have any bilateral meeting with his counterpart there. If Pakistan continues ceasefire violations across the line of Control, India should unilaterally end the Indus water treaty, which is more favourable to Pakistan. India should follow China’s path to contain insurgency in Kashmir, not surrendering to the separatists.