"We oppose war of any kind, conventional or nuclear," said Chaudhary Shafi
of the Pakistan Association of Greater Washington Metropolitan Area. "We
have fought three wars already and they've produced no solution. More
fighting will mean more death, more refugees, and more misery but won't
solve the problems." Speakers emphasized that even threats of war were
counter-productive in the quest for solutions.

The groups also delivered petitions to the embassies, calling for military
de-escalation, a resumption of diplomatic negotiations, and investment in
people's basic needs in both countries.

"We urge our governments to reach a just, constructive and realistic
solution to the crisis. In our opinion, a military ësolution' is no
solution at all," said Shivani Chaudhry of the DC Collective, a South Asian
coalition for peace and justice.

Others at the vigil emphasized that the governments of Pakistan and India
must seek alternative approaches to the problems facing both countries.
"Peace means no war; but peace also means a guarantee of food, employment,
health care, and personal freedom," said Lubna Ejaz. "These are the
priorities of most people in both countries."

As the vigil shows, Indians and Pakistanis are united in their desire for
peace. One of the vigil organizers, Indira Ravindran, summed up by saying,
"This is our message to our governments: people to people, we are one. Any
solution to the current crisis must reflect this."