(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Despite political differences between India and Pakistan, expatriates from both the countries say that they are living in peace and harmony in Oman. They say that people-to-people contact in Oman too is getting stronger with each passing year.
This was evident when Pakistani and Indian expatriates wished each other with messages of peace and harmony on both the countries' Independence Day on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
Pakistan's Independence Day falls on August 14 and India's on August 15 every year.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Dr Satish Nambiar, chairman of the Indian Social Club Muscat, said, 'Indians and Pakistanis in Oman have always been good to each other. We socialise with each other on a regular basis. People of Pakistan and India are on friendly terms and the good thing is that we leave our problems back home.'
A H Raja, vice chairman of Pakistan Social Club, said, 'Both Pakistanis and Indians touch base in Oman. The people of both countries are friendly towards each other. Maintaining people-to-people contact is crucial for our relations. I just wish there were no restrictions to visit each other's country.'
Raja said Oman has been an excellent host for the people of both the countries. 'We appreciate the welcoming hearts of Omani people. Both Indians and Pakistanis feel at home. In fact, we feel like we come from the same country with no divisions. Here, we forget about tensions between both the countries.'
Problems between India and Pakistan started with the British partition of the subcontinent in 1947.
However, the expatriate communities have found ways to keep their differences aside forming everlasting bonds.
Expats from both the countries agree that peace is what is needed. 'Both Indians and Pakistanis live in peace in Oman. We have no problems with each other. We feel more at home in Oman. There is nothing wrong between people here,' said Manpreet Singh, chairman, Indian Social Club, Salalah.
It is interesting to note that the issue of India-Pakistan relations is of great importance to many. 'Being a Pakistani artist with an Indian mother from Hyderabad and the family spread between the two borders, the topic of friendship between the two countries is extremely dear to me,' said Ibrahim Gailani, a Pakistani artist living in Oman.
'Although I'm very proud of my Pakistani identity, I do feel that too much focus is always placed on our differences. In our [India and Pakistan] cultures, people sing and dance at weddings, embrace to provide comfort in difficult times, cry at sad scenes while watching films and dance as if no one is looking in the rain...there are so many beautiful characteristics that bring us together. After 70 years, the colours of our passports - blue and green - should not take away the humanity...caring for the people.'
Others too feel there is no animosity between Indians and Pakistanis. 'I don't see any animosity between the people of both countries. We share the common culture, way of life. At a personal level too, you will see Indians hanging out with their Pakistani friends. The younger generation did not face any pain of partition like their grandfathers, so there is no ideological difference,' said Harshendu Shah, an Indian chartered accountant.
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