It is an established fact that friendship between entities, as well as countries, lasts only if based on mutual respect, equality, sincerity and cooperation. One needs to be reminded of that every now and then when voices are raised within Pakistan for friendly relations with India because, it is argued, both are neighbouring countries and were, after all, one country prior to Partition of the subcontinent in 1947. The pro-India elements that come out with these sentiments tend to forget, though, that without an amicable solution of Kashmir issue in accordance to wishes of the Kashmiris, there can neither be lasting friendly relations between our two countries nor a lasting peace in the region. Those clamouring for relations with India also forget (or intentionally overlook) that the Indian rulers have always tried to cause whatever bit of harm they can to Pakistan, both directly and indirectly. And this despite rulers in Islamabad going out of their way to appease them and in the process ignoring the consensus of public opinion in Pakistan. The long history of the harm India has caused to Pakistan stretches over all of the six decades and its clear most manifestation came in the dismemberment of Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh in 1971. Those who think that is too far back in history should look at the present day events too when India prevailed upon US on the issue of entering into a civil nuclear technology deal with Islamabad and, then, forced Paris into a refusal supply of equipment to the Pakistan Air Force. The importance of these two acquisitions for Pakistan cannot be overemphasized in the prevailing circumstances. But we were stabbed in the back and the pro-Indian lobbyists are still calling for friendly relations with India. -EHSANUL HAQ QAZI, Lahore, June 8.