Keeping in mind the affection Khushwant Singh had for Pakistan, improved relations with the neighbouring country will be a common thread in the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival (KSLF) in Kasauli, the festival director said Wednesday.Back on home turf this weekend, the festival — beginning on October 10 — will celebrate the values of renowned author, litterateur and journalist.The festival director, Rahul Singh, who is also the son of Khushwant Singh said the theme of the three day festival beginning is ‘Voices For Tomorrow-Navigating the Future through Words’.Keeping in mind the conflicts afflicting various parts of the world, he said, the theme reflects the festival’s belief in the transformative power of words to light the way forward.“Amid ongoing global and regional chaos, and emerging problems such as climate anxiety, literature brings us the power of new ideas, emerging perspectives and the courage to reimagine the future,” said Rahul Singh.The festival will bring together writers, thinkers and changemakers who are shaping the narratives that will define the next generation — and embody the voices that question, challenge and inspire, he added.“In a world at a crossroads, these voices speak not only of hope but of responsibility: to heal, to innovate and to create a more just and sustainable world,” Rahul said.Story continues below this adThis summer, KSLF also held its seventh London edition and made its debut in Oxford.Among the eminent authors and panelists this year are former Army Chief Gen M M Naravane, actor Amol Palekar, former minister P Chidambaram, writer Shobhaa De, actor Pooja Bedi, former RAW chief A S Dulat, veteran diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar, Paul Waters, Gillian Wright, journalist Harinder Baweja, Sandiip Bhammer and Sangeeta Waldron.The sessions will feature discussions on subjects as green business, mental health, heritage, sexuality and philanthropy, and spanning genres ranging between murder mystery and spy thriller to memoir and self-help.“We used to have some Pakistanis coming to Kasauli but unfortunately due to the downward relations we have been unable to bring them to Kasauli. We hope with things improving we will be able to bring them back. The advantage of holding the festival in England is that participants from all over the world can attend,” he said.Rahul said India must improve its relations with Pakistan. “This will be a theme in our litfest. My father would have been very saddened to see India and Pakistan drifting apart… Unfortunately the bureaucracy causes problems on both sides.”Story continues below this adReflecting on the recent developments, he said the Indian cricket team should have shaken hands at the Dubai match. “To not do so was very churlish. It was small minded to do that. Look how nations in Europe fought against Germany and now they are all allies. We should also try something similar.”Rahul also stressed that the litfest is not political. He added that just as Congress leaders are invited to attend the festival, “we try for the BJP to come”. “We have Tuhin Sinha from the BJP attending this time… We are not pro-Congress or pro-BJP.”He also said that Chidambaram will talk to Baweja on her book.Amid the backdrop of recent floods and landslides, Rahul said that among the chief concerns of Khushwant Singh was preserving the ecology of Kasauli. He said that the tragedies in Himachal and Uttarakhand keep happening due to unchecked development.Story continues below this ad“When I go to Kasauli I see totally unplanned and unchecked development taking place. I dread to think what will happen if an earthquake takes place.”