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Spirit of India

India-Pakistan: The Real Story

eTurboNews Reader reports from India: The real story
14 JUNE 2002

THE ONLY TRUE GLOBAL TRAVEL-TRADE NEWS - 114,928 readers in 217 countries & territories Ê

Over the past three weeks, India and Pakistan have received a lot of attention from the media which normally is never the case when anything good is happening in our respective countries.

The current situation between the two neighbouring countries is nothing new. The Kashmir issue has been under dispute since decades dating back to India's independence in 1947. Prior to independence, India comprised of 550 independent princely states which united to form independent India. Amongst these was the state of Jammu & Kashmir whose ruler opted to join the Indian federation rather than move over to Pakistan. Ever since the dispute continues and over the past 13 years, a band of militants have been fighting Indian troops for an "Azad Kashmir" (independent Kashmir) or to join Pakistan. It is the Indian governments' position that the separatist movement in Kashmir is being funded and supported by Pakistan.

An incident to prove this point was the December 13, 2001, attack on the Indian parliament. It is but natural that the Indian government was prompted to take strong defensive measures and increase the concentration of its troops along the border. and now... and now... As you all are aware, 3 weeks ago, militants attacked an army base in the Kashmir region killing over 30 civilians, primarily wives and children of army officers. A brutal attack ! The Indian government was then forced to put its army on high alert and position more troops along the line of control (LOC) which is the unofficial border between India and Pakistan. Pakistan reacted in a similar manner which brings us to the stand-off that exists today.

Given that India's military might is superior, Pakistan has also resorted to making random statements to the media to cause unnecessary panic in the international community and act as a deterrent against India. Despite all of this, the general public of both nations are very clear in not desiring a war, nor do they expect a full scale war, let alone a nuclear attack. There is a lot of sabre rattling and politicking. The situation today is no longer about Kashmir but primarily the Indian government is demanding that Pakistan stop infiltration across the entire border and stop supporting terrorism. The Indian goverment has assured that if this demand is fulfilled on a long term basis, the army positioned at the LOC will be withdrawn and only the minimum required will remain. India has absolutely no desire for any territorial gain nor a war. It wants to stamp out terrorism from the Indian territory which would be the requirement of any country in the world ? The Indian government is a very responsible one as is amply noted from the comments made by the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he states that it is futile to attack Pakistan to gain territory nor will they ever make a nuclear attack. India only wants that the series of terrorist training camps operating along the border be closed and infiltration be stopped with immediate effect. There has been a lot of international pressure on Pakistan to comply with this request.

Whilst Pakistan leadership has indicated compliance, the Indian government is waiting to see concrete results before adhering to their commitments. In fact, last week, both the governments, categorically stated that a "nuclear war" was unthinkable. Since then the rhetoric from both sides has greatly toned down.

Travel Advisories- The travel advisories issued by governments of countries all over the world have created unnecessary panic and the effects on India are highly detrimental. Yes, one can understand a government's desire for the safety of their citizens but in this case the advisories have been excessively. There is absolutely no reason for concern as there is no threat to the common man let alone the foreign nationals living in India. Life in all the cities continues on a normal basis and there is no panic of amassing consumer items. Thus there is no need for all this mass exodus out of India and Pakistan. Through the summer, families have continued with their holiday plans and over the past week everyone is enjoying the cricket, football and tennis season. Is this the behaviour of a country getting ready for war ? Not at all; it just reflects the positive attitude of the Indian and the real situation.

Once the media find another situation to focus upon, both India and Pakistan will be out of the limelight and the actual situation itself will simmer down to normal.

Today, not only is the tourism industry being affected but unnecessarily the economy will also be affected. Is this what the world wants ? To ruin a nation ? We are extremely responsible citizens for ourselves and our guests thus please do not hesitate to visit India at any time and continue to experience the hospitality of this nation.

India has revoked restrictions on over-flights of Pakistani aircraft and airlines. This decision announced on the evening of 10th June 2002, paves the way for resumption of air links between the two countries. The announcement is the first step in reversing the curbs imposed by India as part of its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan post 13th December and is expected to begin the process of de-escalation between the two countries. Official sources said units of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy that had been patrolling the Indian Ocean were sailing back to their bases. Twenty have already returned from being based in the Northern part of the Arabian Sea. The rest are expected to sail back by this weekend. The High Commissioner designate to Islamabad, Mr. Bhasin, has commenced preparations for his departure on his new assignment. Announcing these measures, the Indian External Affairs ministry spokesperson, Ms. Nirupama Rao stated that 'the Indian moves should be seen as a genuine desire for peace. General Musharraf's assurance carries more weight now than earlier, as the world community now holds him responsible for his statements and is keeping a close eye on further developments within the region". However, India added that it would need to see further steps undertaken by Pakistan, including the dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure.' BY eTurboNews READER : Gita R. Choksi

India: To Go or Not to Go?
A letter to the media written by Barbara Sansone, owner of Spirit of India. June 1, 2002

I have been quite dismayed over the months since September 11, at the news articles alarmist approach to reporting on the subject of India's relative safety. In my opinion, it seemed the media had decided on the slant they wanted to promote and did not want to publish any articles that would at least give some balance to the issue --to go, or not to go traveling to India.

Since Sept 11, the media has been warning people not to travel, especially abroad. Yet hundreds of people who did not succumb to the fear inducing statements in the news, have traveled and come home safely with glowing reports of exceptionally warm reception and positive experiences. The newspapers never reported this even though I offered to provide to the San Francisco Chronicle a list of travelers who were traveling in India just 2 weeks after the attacks. A reporter could have communicated with one or more travelers via email while they were on their journeys to get first hand reports.

As far as the dispute over Kashmir is concerned, as most of us know, it has been going on since parition in 1947. Some years it escalates; some years it wanes. In the five years since the start of my business, I have advised travelers that the situation in Kashmir is unstable and therefore would not offer travel services there. That statement was true in 1997 and remains true today. I would never offer travel servives to destinations that are anywhere near a war zone or any violence. This does not mean that travel to India or within India is dangerous--or perhaps I should say, any more dangerous than traveling anywhere else in today's world. Afterall, there are terrorists networks throughout Europe, the Middle East, and--yes-- even in the United States.

Nothing is different about traveling in India today than before September 11; there is just a greater awareness that terrorism (greed, cruelty, violence to mankind) exists --everywhere--and can strike at any time. Nothing is much different about the conflict between India and Pakistan today than before except that for perhaps the first time, their story is gathering international interest.

Now the US government is warning not to travel to India. This reminds me of the nuclear tests both sides performed at the Kashmir border in 1998, just weeks before my first tour group was to depart. The group still went, although 4-5 people did cancel. Months later, when a team of international scientists reported results from their data gathering, it turned out that both sides had been boasting about both the quantity and strength of the weapons they possessed and tested.

Kashmir is far removed from any tourist destinations both by distance and in the difficulty to access Kashmir by road or air. Furthermore, neither side has any intention nor reason for harming tourists. They are certainly not going to spend precious resources to enter India's heartland in search of tourists to gun down.

If I were to buy into the story that traveling within India is unsafe, then I would also have to refrain from crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, since our government has told us another attack on the US is certain and the bridge is a target.

I think it would be helpful to the public for the media to report the facts of the current Kashmir issue in a neutral fashion and offer educational information including an outline of the geography and topography of Kashmir in relation to India's tourist destinations such as Taj Mahal, Rajasthan, Goa beaches and the Kerala backwaters. Allow each person to decide for themselves whether they would be comfortable going to India at this time.

Adventurous travelers--seekers of authentic cultural experiences, know that things are always going on in all parts of the world that are sometimes quite cruel, ugly and unsafe. This knowledge does not stop them from continuing to explore these other cultures. For those who decide to travel during unsettling times, what they will often encounter is an even greater abundance of graciousness, goodwill, and perhaps even profound heartfelt exchanges with the local culture. And for those who think its safer to remain in the US, remember--there are deranged people planting pipebombs in mailboxes across the midwest, kids gunning down classmates at school, weirdos sending anthrax through the mail, amtrax trains derail, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires and floods occur, heck barges run down bridges full of people. We cannot control any of these things nor can we ever guarantee our safety anywhere on planet earth. All we can do is look both ways before crossing the street. The rest is in the hands of God, destiny, Allah, Shiva...

Thank you for your consideration of my opinion.

Sincerely,

Barbara Sansone

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941