India - Pakistan: How can enemies be reconciled?

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Thousands of troops were on alert across the west Indian state of Gujarat after the massacre of 30 people in a Hindu temple by suspected Muslim gunmen.

India initially blamed Pakistan for Tuesday's attack by two men, using hand grenades and firing indiscriminately at worshippers, at the popular Swaminarayan Temple, raising new tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Prime Minister Vajpayee, who visited the temple, warned against revenge attacks.

Whoever was responsible for the recent events, why does suspicion always fall on the neighbour? Can the two countries learn to live in peace? What can be done to stop the killings and ease the tension?

We discussed the India-Pakistan situation in our phone-in programme, Talking Point, on Sunday 29 September.

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

Unification, the perfect solution, is difficult in this case. Firstly, Pakistan was created on the basis of religion whereas India was created on the basis of culture. Secondly, both the politicians and army of the two nations assert themselves by viewing the other as their enemy. In order to bring them both together, the populace of both countries would have to reconcile fifty five years of differences and mutual suspicion.
Vir Reddy, Washington D.C, USA

Kashmir is at the centre of the dispute, but once that is resolved there is still the process of Indians and Pakistanis seeing through the decades of propaganda they've been fed about their foes. India must stop seeing Pakistan as the Muslim threat that must be eradicated and Pakistan must cease to see India as the evil Hindu that will be destroyed in the end. Talk of re-unification is silly Muslims and Hindus are different and Pakistan was necessary. The game of blaming each other must also end for any progress to be made, India can not blame Pakistan for everything and vice versa
Kasim Hafeez, Nottingham, UK

The best way is to form a confederation of India-Pakistan-Bangladesh-Sri Lanka which with its abundant natural and educated manpower resources, can very soon become the richest confederation and wipe out poverty: the main cause of the bickering among the countries. It will take a lot of effort and an evolved, enlightened and enterprising leadership in each of these countries to make this happen but our future generations will be ever grateful to all of us.
L.Y. Rao, Mumbai, India

The only people to gain from such events are politicians

Shuaib, London, UK

The relationship has been poisoned between the peoples with common heritage. It's strange that when these people are taken out of their national context they get along fine. Hindus/Muslims Indians/Pakistanis get on fine in the UK - as do Turks and Greeks in the UK. The only people to gain from such events are politicians that gain credibility from stirring emotions. Let's not forget neither country has a desirable government - Pakistan: Military president; India: Far right nationalists
Shuaib, London, UK

Resolving the Kashmir issue could be a beginning to improved relationships between the two countries and this would not happen unless the Western nations put pressure on India. Unfortunately Kashmir doesn't have any oil that could make it attractive for the West to intervene.
Javed Ahmed, Srinagar, Kashmir

There is no doubt in my mind that most of the violence that occurs in the name of religion is instigated by the politicians themselves. Instead of dealing with the real issues of economy, poverty, literacy, food and water, they find it easier to stay in power by simply exciting the mob with religion and making them believe that they and their religion is in danger.
Ambrish Varma, Allahabad, India

In cultures that look to religion for guidance, extremism will flourish

Andy, UK

So long as both countries are riddled with poverty and deprivation you will always have violence. It is not specifically the fault of any religion. However, in cultures that look only to religion for guidance, extremism will flourish. Religion is a root cause of most conflict, but I am reasonable enough to realise that you can't outlaw it. For that reason I'm afraid you have to expect violence.
Andy, UK

I am an Indian Muslim and I don't think the attacks were orchestrated by Pakistan. They seem to be the direct result of Gujarat riots in February where thousands of Muslims were killed. Retaliation killings should never be condoned, but the Indian Government and Indians must realise this violence can be eliminated if they deal even-handedly with its citizens. They should be upholding the law and not abetting those who break the law and cause chaos in the country.
Mujeeb, Philadelphia, USA

The division is artificial

Rakshit Gor, USA / India

It is quite clear that the division between these two nations with people of same cultural heritage, temperament and aspirations is artificial. The common goal of leadership of both nations should be re-unification.
Rakshit Gor, USA / India

India and Pakistan, reunification? I think we are talking about more then a billion people. The main problem is generations have been poisoned against each other since 1947. It would take decades for these billions of people to understand the peace and harmony over religious tolerance and independence of others.
Patel, Dallas, USA

Only democracies can resolve issues. India should talk only with the democratically elected representatives of Pakistan, not dictators. Remember, the three major wars between India and Pakistan were fought when Pakistan was ruled by a military dictator.
VS, USA

The seeds for this conflict were sown by the British Raj

Anonymous, England

The behaviour of both countries is awful. The seeds for this conflict were sown by the British Raj. Their policy of divide and conquer helped them rule for years and this policy is still affecting the growth of both countries today. Neither country will get anywhere unless they stop blaming each other. The foreign policies of the US and UK don't help. It is in their interests to keep these two countries at conflict so that they can sell weapons to them.
Anonymous, England

As long as Pakistan defines it's nationalism as the antithesis of India, there can be no peace in the sub-continent. And as long as the army (which is the only institution in the sub-continent directly benefiting from the hostility between the two countries) continues to dominate every facet of Pakistani life there can be no hope for any kind of rapprochement.
T. Varadaraj, San Francisco, USA

If the politicians do not understand the simple matter of separating religion from politics this cycle of violence will continue

Aurora, Stockholm, Sweden

The problem is totally and comprehensively political. Religion has nothing to do with this massacre. If the politicians do not understand the simple matter of separating religion from politics, I am afraid this cycle of violence will continue. Democracy (in its true sense), removal of illiteracy and poverty are the best antidotes for religious intolerance. Above all there must be moral principles behind politics, not the lust of wealth and power.
Aurora, Stockholm, Sweden

Instead of playing the blame game with Pakistan, India should examine its own policy which leads to these acts of terror. Indians should ask the government to stop using religion as a stairway to power, since India claims to be a secular state.
Raja, New York, USA

Both countries have huge domestic problems which have long been sidelined to protect their borders

R Rahim, Chicago, IL, USA

Both countries have huge domestic problems which have long been sidelined to divert their national resources to protect their borders. Lack of mutual trust is at the core, but that doesn't change today's realities. India and Pakistan cannot change the situation unless they want to see where exactly the road to prosperity lies. Border disputes can only bleed their national resources, not strengthen them.
R Rahim, Chicago, IL, USA

It's high time we stop fighting somebody else's war. Most of the people (whether Hindu or Muslim, Indian or Pakistani) that are outraged and call for revenge (some even taking up arms) would not have anything in common with the people directly affected, except caste or creed. Instead of taking sides, I think we need to develop a mentality that seeks out the perpetrators and seeks punishment for them, even if they are of the same background. Why hate a nation for the sins of a few?
Stephen Williams, Pune, India

If Indians seek a solution, they should look into the violent politics of their own country instead of blaming Pakistan

Zargham, Pakistan

The attack on the Hindu temple is as sad as on a mosque or a church. True Muslims do not believe in killing of innocent people whatsoever. If Indians seek a solution to these terrorist activities, they should critically look into the violent politics of their own country instead of blaming Pakistan. Indians should accept that their country is no more secular but a highly polarised state due to multiple religious, ethnic and freedom-fighting groups.
Zargham, Pakistan

This is all done under the supervision of my country's president Musharraf and apart from harming relations with India it is destroying Pakistan's reputation.
Khaled Mohammed, Karachi, Pakistan

Pakistan is not able to tolerate the success of secular and democratic India

Jatin, Bharuch, India

It seems that Pakistan is not able to tolerate the success of secular and democratic India. Pakistan's "two nation theory" which justifies partition of a multi-religious country on the basis of religion was completely rejected in 1971 when Muslim Pakistan was divided into two parts.
Jatin, Bharuch, India

Yesterday's temple massacre had nothing to do with religion - it was political. It was planned and executed to create more bloodshed, more trouble not to Gujarat, but to India. The only way to stop this violence is to make Pakistan understand that it gets nothing from this violence.
Prasad Dhulipalla, USA

I agree with Prasad Dhulipalla's comment that the incident is political and not religious. The only solution to this problem is unification of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India and teaching them religious tolerance and making education compulsory. It is high time to bring the subcontinent from religious intolerance to a broadminded secular country before they start to drop nuclear bombs on eachother.
Aamir Khan, Lahore, Pakistan

Definitely we can create a healthy relationship. As the Indian foreign minister said once, "Just put the gun away from our head, we are ready to talk any where any time".
Santosh, Taiwan

They should address the cause of such heinous and inhuman act of terror

Qamar, Karachi, Pakistan

Instead of looking for the real cause behind such incidents and people responsible for it; the Indian Government, the media and the people have as usual blamed Pakistan and are trying their best to discredit the it. Instead of playing the blame game they should address the real cause of such heinous and inhuman act of terror.
Qamar, Karachi, Pakistan

It is time for India to accept the Pakistani presidents offer for dialogue anywhere, anytime and at any level

Dr Serhat Khan, USA

India has to realise that in order to make peace it has to treat Pakistan as an equal. We in Pakistan are extremely skeptical about the malicious Indian attempts to slander us by blaming everything from train derailments to terrorist attacks on us. Being habitually blamed and pointed the finger at does not create any love in our hearts for our neighbour. We need to have meaningful dialogues to overcome our differences and the main wrench in our spokes, Kashmir. If Pakistan and India look towards problem solving in a positive open minded manner the potentials are boundless. People on both sides of the border want peace. It is time for India to accept the Pakistani presidents offer for dialogue anywhere, anytime and at any level.
Dr Serhat Khan, USA

They should remove the border and disarm their nuclear weapons

R.C. Robjohn, UK

It is always the few who make trouble for the many. To bring these countries together they should share their infrastructure and utilities. They should remove the border and disarm their nuclear weapons. Religious tolerance must be taught at school from day one. They should form an economic bloc with each other and their neighbours. Where no ocean of division exists no clouds of war can form.
R.C. Robjohn, UK

Any such violence and killing is unjustifiable in any part of the world, but as responsible people we should not be quick to judge and accuse until the facts have been gathered and evidence presented. Failure to do this only makes the situation worse.
Ahmed

Unification, as in pre-colonial period is the only solution - although this will never happen.
Ahmed, UK

EVERY political, social, or religious conflict is pre-programmed to escalate into senseless violence

Richard, San Jose, USA

Powerful nations (in this case India) have received carte blanche from George Bush to treat every rebel cause (whether just or not) as "terrorism" which must be exterminated at all costs. In this poisoned environment, there is no place for compromise or negotiation. Therefore, EVERY political, social, or religious conflict is pre-programmed to escalate into senseless violence.
Richard, San Jose, USA

When there was no India and Pakistan, as two different entities, and when the wish for division was not there, the two lived in peace. Its the only stable solution for these two to live in peace.
Sanjay Agarwal, Sitapur, India

Education, and economic empowerment are the only way that India and Pakistan can battle extremism. You can build a lead wall between the two countries, but until people are given hope and tolerance, extremism will be hard to contain.
Raj, USA

When will there be an end to this brutal violence that leaves always the innocent dead? The only solution is to follow the doctrine of Gandhism, of non-violence and unification.
Mayur, India

It was an act of cowardice, shame on them

Ghosh Dipali, UK

It is sad to see innocent Hindu people massacred by the fundamentalists in the name of religion. It was an act of cowardice, shame on them.
Ghosh Dipali, UK

Attacking vulnerable people while they are exercising their faith, whatever that may be, is the most despicable crime. Fanatics who would sanction such an act cannot be reasoned or negotiated with. Tough policing by secular governments and unrelenting voices of moral condemnation by the community is the only answer.
Chris, USA

I grew up only half a mile from this temple and routinely played cricket in that area are while the temple was under construction. For me, this event is just as shocking as the WTC attack was. I believe that the policy of inclusion and exclusion based on religious beliefs is the primary reason why things are so violent in that part of the region.
Sunil Prajapati, USA

The fact is that this region is never going to become the focus of attention for world politics

Rustam Roy, London, UK (ex-India)

Religion has become a tool for politically motivated violence in both countries. The only way to reduce tensions would be (a) to raise a standard of living in both countries, so as to reduce the number of disaffected people and (b) increase the level of education both countries, again, to reduce the likelihood that disaffected people will be easily manipulated. Both countries must realise one cannot solve political and social problems by using religion. This region is never going to become the focus of attention for world politics, as there is no oil to be had. It is imperative, therefore, that both countries realise how closely related they actually are and begin to work together, rather than against each other.
Rustam Roy, London, UK (ex-India)

The leaders of these religions must emphatically distance themselves and their faiths from such violence

Terry Emerson, London, UK

It saddens me that religions which proclaim peace, harmony and love can be used by radicals to promote violence and murder. The leaders of these religions must emphatically distance themselves and their faiths from such violence and openly declare that the perpetrators will not be rewarded for such acts. Even though I am a committed Christian I can understand the calls of humanists and atheists for the banning of religious education and promotion when they see acts of such savagery.
Terry Emerson, London, UK

Whilst unenlightened people think "My religion is better than yours" they will always kill each other over their perception of God. There is nothing that can be done; I despair at their evil.
Anon, England

The government of India/Gujarat has already taken appropriate action by deploying the army. Surprisingly there are no international condemnation comments yet. Religions have nothing to do with violence, it is the fight for superiority that causes the problem.
Uday, UK

Could this violence be because there are to be elections soon and this would be a good way to discredit the present BJP government by rival parties?
Anjali, US