Overlooked amid the hostilities in Iraq and the brinkmanship pursued by North Korea has been the steady escalation of tensions in South Asia. Missile tests and killings by terrorists have fueled concern that the standoff between India and Pakistan will culminate in violence. Yet, in a surprising development, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee last week held out an olive branch to Pakistan, which Islamabad promptly accepted.
The overtures may be more tactical than strategic, but the creation of diplomatic space is always welcome. The two governments should take this opportunity to step back and resume discussions on a peaceful resolution of their differences.
It has been a nerve-racking year in South Asia. Although there were hopes that the arrival of nuclear weapons on the continent would oblige the two rivals to tone down their rhetoric and act more responsibly, there have been few signs of moderation. Both countries tested short-range, nuclear-capable missiles March 26.