India, Pakistan look to brighter times ahead

Fifty years ago today (Aug. 14) the British empire lost the jewel in its crown. The British withdrew from India leaving that vast country of nearly 400 million people partitioned.

Pakistan, the new state born of that division celebrates its golden jubilee today while India does so tomorrow. India, which chose at independence to follow the democratic path, has remained one nation and retained its secular character. Pakistan, after long periods of military rule, has in recent years also chosen democracy and let the people decide their rulers.

When the democratic system was under threat in India in the 1970s, the people rallied round at the first opportunity to oust those who sought to deprive them of their rights. Admittedly, corrupt politics and politicians have been the bane of both countries. But had it not been for the democratic system and the commitment to the rule of law, those responsible would not have been made accountable for their actions.

One major reason for the slow economic progress in both Pakistan and India has been the atavistic fears they inherited at birth, made worse by the three wars they fought. At long last a genuine effort is under way to bury the old enmities and use resources to improve living standards. Now that the objective conditions have changed internationally with the end of the Cold War, India and Pakistan are better positioned to settle their long-time differences.

If the political will is there this region can achieve economic sustainability and political stability.

-- The Hong Kong Standard