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Amin Hashwani<br />
who are generally seen as warm, hospitable, and seeking better relations<br />
with <strong>India</strong>. This excellent chemistry is quite visible on any occasion<br />
when the people of the two countries meet.<br />
With the opening up of trade, one can expect a gradual improvement<br />
in the relationship between the two countries. It will increase the<br />
level of interaction between business communities, offer cheaper goods<br />
and raw materials to consumers and industries, and create many other<br />
unforeseen and unintended interdependencies. Easing the visa regime<br />
to increase people-to-people interactions and allowing more media personnel<br />
to be stationed in each country would create a more positive<br />
bias. (A new visa agreement concluded in September 2012 offers hope.)<br />
Tourism still remains a significant untapped industry that can catalyze<br />
dramatic economic and social dividends.<br />
Already, books by <strong>Pakistan</strong>i authors are available in <strong>India</strong>n book<br />
stores (this was not the case earlier). <strong>Pakistan</strong>i pop groups, which have<br />
a large following in <strong>India</strong>, are being allowed to perform in <strong>India</strong> more<br />
frequently. And, slowly but surely, regular exchanges between lawmakers,<br />
businessmen, and professionals are changing the dynamics of this<br />
relationship. The Aman Ki Asha is a peace initiative between the biggest<br />
media group in each of the two countries, the Times of <strong>India</strong> and the Jang<br />
Group. It has brought together stakeholders in arts, culture, business,<br />
and civil society to explore avenues of cooperation and to undertake<br />
initiatives for peaceful coexistence. It focuses on areas where the two<br />
governments have failed, either due to lack of will or capacity, to deliver<br />
on promises for a peaceful region. The movement has been widely<br />
supported by the public in both countries, and also acknowledged by<br />
the international community as one of the most significant movements<br />
for peace launched in the two countries to this point. In the two-plus<br />
years since its launch, it has had a dramatic effect in changing public discourse,<br />
linking various stakeholders, and dispelling misperceptions that<br />
have lingered for decades. Eventually, if joint ventures and investments<br />
are allowed into each country, they could plant the seeds of peace and<br />
sprout lobbies that create and sustain mutual interests in the long run,<br />
and cushion any negative impacts that may arise from future challenges<br />
or unfortunate incidents.<br />
In conclusion, while there are misperceptions about <strong>Pakistan</strong> as a<br />
nation and society, the spontaneous positive chemistry at person-to-<br />
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