“ Indo-pak hand shake must be on the table "

Kasauli, Oct 10:

The three-day 14th edition of the Khushwant Litfest started today in Kasauli to celebrate the vision and values that the much-acclaimed author and literature Khushwant cherished.

Recalling Khushwant Singh’s epochal novel, Train to Pakistan,former RAW chief AS Dullat today stressed the need for a dialogue between India and Pakistan. There should be a warm handshake, be it in cricket field or a diplomatic table.

At the same time he warned against the Gen Z turmoil spreading across the country,
In an informal conversation with the media persons at Dulat said that the recent uproar in Ladakh is a warning for the nation, though it looks like a feeble possibility at this stage.

Talking about the Indo-Pak relations, which have been under strain for quite some time, Dulat said there is an urgent need for a dialogue. Linking it straight to the upsurge of militancy in J&K, he said whenever there has been a cross=border dialogue the threat of militancy has been minimal,

He recalled that after the Kargil conflict the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee still invited Gen Musharaff for talks in Agra knowing very well that Gen Musharaff as the Pakistan Army chief had masterminded the Kargil intrusion. " So, cross border talks must go on, even if it has challenges", he said

Commenting on the onfield cricket strain between India and Pakistan, he said the grace of the game must be upheld. " If you dont want to play with Pakistan, dont do it, but if you are playing a match then handshakes should not be an issue.

In a session celebrated actor Anup Soni , popularly known for his Crime Patrol serial , underlined the need of mutual communication in the society to avoid incidents of crime and conflict.

He said violence in the society is generated out of stress for which social interaction and mediation need to be part of our lives.