Panjab University mulls ‘Centre for Pakistan Studies’
By IANSTuesday, October 26, 2010
CHANDIGARH - The Panjab University (PU) here is considering setting up a ‘Centre for Pakistan Studies’ for the systematic study of India’s relations with its neighbour.
PU Vice Chancellor R.C. Sobti said Tuesday that he would look into the proposal and take it up with the university’s syndicate, the executive decision-making body.
“The department of Urdu of the university could be developed into the Centre for Pakistan Studies with a view to improve bilateral relations between India and Pakistan,” Sobti announced here Tuesday during a lecture on ‘Indo-Pak Dialogue: Track-II Diplomacy’.
The event was organised by the university in collaboration with the external affairs ministry as part of a lecture series on India’s foreign policy.
Former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan G. Parthasarthy said at the lecture that while India had evolved as a secular polity that paved way for a national identity, Pakistan had failed to achieve nation building.
He said that the Pakistani sponsorship for terrorism was making it difficult for India to indulge in ‘back channel diplomatic negotiations’ with that country.
India and Pakistan, both nuclear weapons countries, have fought three wars since 1947 when India became independent and Pakistan was created.
The international border between India and Pakistan is 300 km from here.
