ISLAMABAD -- The emerging Indo-Pakistani peace process is set to face its first political test in the next two months as India conducts national elections, creating an opportunity for hardliners to question the aims set out at this month's meeting between Indian Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf.
In Pakistan, too, while the country's mainstream political parties have endorsed the new peace process, the numerically moderate community of Islamic hardliners may seize the opportunity to clamor against normalized relations between South Asia's two nuclear-armed neighbors. Although such militants may have only modest popular support on the streets of Pakistan, they are indeed capable of launching militant attacks against key leaders.
More than most, Musharraf, who survived two assassination attempts last month, must realize the monumental task he faces in following through with his peace bid.