While the Indian and Pakistani governments talk about confidence building measures and increased people to people interactions, the relaity has not changed. Nine young cyclists from Maharashtra, having carried the message of peace through 2000 KM in India, on their way to Islamabad were denied visas by the Pakistani government.

April 1^st: Nine young cyclists including two girls on a Peace Expedition from Panvel (Maharashtra, India) to Pakistan were denied visa. The expedition was undertaken to strengthen the people-to-people contact towards a lasting harmony between the countries. These youngsters were flagged off from Panvel on March 1 and were to cross the border at Wagah on March 31 on their way ahead to Lahore and Islamabad. Yesterday (March 31, 2007) they went to Wagah border on cycle and returned to Amritsar as they were denied visa by Pakistan Government.  

We, at Pakistan India Peoples' Forum for Peace & Democracy (PIPFPD), and Nisarga Mitra strongly express our disappointment and displeasure at the Pakistan government's stand of denying  visas to the peace cyclists, and disallowing simple gestures of people-to-people contact that contribute to the peace-building process. It is all the more condemnable because only on March 13-14, 2007 when the foreign secretaries of both countries held the fourth round of composite dialogue, they had announced some confidence building measures (CBMs) and declared both governments' desire to promote peace. What could be a better CBM than nine peace cyclists covering nine state of India to spread the message of peace and crossing the border to do the same? Ironically, a CBM like this is not being given importance by  both governments. It is important to note that when they were in Wagah, SAARC Car Rally entered India from Pakistan.

The young peace cyclists  – Dhananjay Madan, Rupali Nehate, Shraddha Tisgaonkar, Anand Lokhande, Niraj Ghate, Kaustubh Gujare, Vikas Chavan, Mandar Karve and Prasad Karve – are obviously extremely disappointed and dejected that their hand of friendship end on the Indian side of the Wagah itself and cannot extent across the border. They had not imagined this when they were flagged off on March 1 by Admiral (retd) L Ramdas and Prof Manoranjan Mohanty. After pedaling 2,000 kms they are determined now, more than ever before, to continue the peace-building process with people from across the border.

The Pakistan Chpater of the PIPFPD, which had applied for the visas for these nine peace cyclists and two accompanying members of the peace mission, with the Interior Ministry on Feb 24, 2007. They are also extremely disappointed at the turn of events. The move deserves criticism from all quarters. If the government is truly interested in the peace process, it must show greater acceptance and appreciation of the people-to-people diplomacy as well. Otherwise, all talk of CBMs and peace gestures will remain merely that – empty talk.

Friends from Pakistan assembled yesterday at there side of the border and expressed displeasure for not granting visas to our young cyclists.

March 27^th: Our young cyclists reached Khanna in Punjab today (27 march) night. Yesterday night they stayed at historical Kurukshtra. They pedalled 115 km today to reach Khanna. Nine cyclists including two girls cycled around 10 hours to reach there destination today.

Yesterday morning they began from Panipat, another historical city and reached kurukshetra.

Everybody is waiting keenly for visa clearance. So far our cyclists have covered around 1,900 km and they are only 185 km away from Amritsar. They should be reaching Amritsar on 29th evening. From Amritsar, Wagah is only 35 km.

March 28^th: We all are disappointed. Today evening our nine young cyclists have reached Amritsar. They are very close to Pakistan but very far. We were expecting visa to come. Unfortunately, they have not,yet, got visa. It is unlikely that they will get visa now. Pakistan Chapter of PIPFPD had applied on 24th February for visa. Officials in the Interior Ministry are saying 'the matter is still pending with the higher-ups'. Unless miracle happens, they will not be going to Pakistan.

Panvel to Pakistan...... a mission will remain incomplete. But, visa regime has also necessiated everybody to work more on the issue. Fourth round of Composite Dialogue was held in Islamabad on 13-14 March and it was announced that both the countries will promote peace. They also announced few Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).

People-to-people contact is in reality best CBM. This nine young boys and girls who pedaled more than 2,000 km so far with the mission of promoting message of peace and friendship between two countries. They were flagged off on 1st March by Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas and Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty.

Though they have not got visa till now they will go to Wagah on 31st morning on cycle and they have to return back. Its a sad story. In real sense, both the government should encourage young boys and girls to go on mission like this which promotes peace & friendship between two countries.

They met thousands of people on way from Panvel to Amritsar (so far) and spoke to them. We must be more pro-active is the message of this expedition.

- Jatin Desai is a member of Pakistan India Forum for Peace and Democracy and continues to report on this effort. He can be contacted at 093222 55812.