India's decision not to allow a Pugwash Conference on Kashmir is more an indictment of Indian democracy than it is a defence of our national interest. The decision is wrong for more reasons than one can list. First, it exposes our lack of self-confidence in our own position on Kashmir. Second, it goes contrary to our stated policies of building confidence. Indeed, if we had any confidence in our position we have every reason to hope that these dialogues would be an occasion for us to explain our position. We cannot say, in one breath that we are for more people to people contact, and then disallow forums that make such exchanges possible. It can be argued that one of the great weaknesses of our foreign policy has been that we have been small-minded about academic exchanges with our neighbours. In the long run these exchanges would strengthen rather than undermine us.

Third, the decision impugns our democratic credentials. What does it mean to say that we are a democracy if we cannot permit free discussion of this kind? Disallowing this conference is more the sort of gesture you would expect from an authoritarian regime. Indeed, detractors of India will find more grist for their mill. Even if India were to be criticised on Kashmir, it would gain far more by projecting itself as a credible democracy. Fourth, it reveals an astonishing lack of judgment. Even if you were a security hawk, would you consider an open conference — all the parties are known, their antecedents can be ascertained — a security risk of any kind?

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