The urgent need is to de-escalate the confrontation in Kargil. The Line of Control has in close to thirty years come to be recognized internationally, and barring brief skirmishes, has been honored by both countries and their security forces. It is important that those who have crossed this line vacate go back. The sub-continent cannot afford war, and it cannot afford the constant bleeding of proxy wars and terrorism. The basic issues for the nearly 1.2 billion people of India and Pakistan are of development, of food, public health, education, housing and fruitful employment.
Peace is a sine qua non to allow the two peoples to work for a life of dignity and happiness.
It was in this context that the Christian community in India, and specially the Catholic community, had last year expressed its apprehensions at the induction of nuclear weapons in the sub-continent. This has been tragically borne out by events in recent months. This is the time for all peace-loving people in Pakistan and India to decisively speak out against an escalation of the confrontation. This is not the time for jingoism. The word of reason and goodwill must be brought to bear on the political establishment.