Kashmir Issue: Deep Analysis of This Issue and Viable Measures To Resolve The Issue
Kashmir Issue: Deep Analysis of This Issue and Viable Measures To Resolve The Issue
Kashmir Issue: Deep Analysis of This Issue and Viable Measures To Resolve The Issue
Introduction.
Historical background of the issue.
Why are both countries so obsessed with this issue?
What are its impacts over the South Asian region?
Steps taken by both the sides for resolving the issue.
Despite several such steps why both sides have failed to resolve this issue even after 70
years?
Pragmatic and viable solutions of the dispute.
A. Introduction:
Kashmir issue has become one of those conflicts that the comity of nations has failed to
resolve even in the span of 70 years of the emergence of conflict. this is a tripartite
dispute sailing in between India, Pakistan and China with all three occupying 45%, 35%,
and 20 % of the disputed territory respectively. the gravity of this issue can be gauged
from the fact that three full fledge wars have been fought in between India and Pakistan
over this territory apart from minor encounters, thus signaling that the problem is not so
easy to be resolved. the question that mainly arises in mind is that why is this territory
so much important to all these state. it is its geo-strategic location, emotional
attachment, ideological interests, and water depots that compel these nations not to give
up on it. This conflict has not only derailed the relations between India and Pakistan but
has affected the peace and stability of the whole region. And is further bent on
endangering the world peace as two nuclear states are juxtaposition to each other. Owing
to that several instances have been recorded in the history when not only India and
Pakistan but UNSC also tried to resolve the matter, but all in vain. As a result Kashmir
conflict still stands unresolved. Thus serious efforts are needed not only from both the
sides but from the world as a whole to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
"once understood the challenge for now is to move on ,the history on
Kashmir cannot be re-written ;an analysis ,however, of all the relevant
aspects of the struggle makes it easier to understand the depth of
disappointment and at times, hatred which has caused all sides."
B. Why Are Both The Countries So Obsessed With This
Conflict?
With a growing population and increased need for electricity, India has looked to the
region to develop more hydro facilities. Pakistan fears that India may divert water
necessary for irrigation, and use water as a weapon against Pakistan. In 1960, India and
Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank. The agreement
gave India control over the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej rivers, and Pakistan control over the
Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum. Because all the rivers flowed through India, India was given
special provisions for hydroelectric development.
Sounding further alarm bells, research indicates that global warming is causing record
melting of Kashmir’s glaciers, which provide fresh water to its rivers. Himalayan glaciers
have lost an estimated 174 giga tons of water; the rapid melt has been responsible for
severe flooding in both Pakistan and India. With rapidly receding glacial water, India
and Pakistan will face prolonged electricity shortages, stunting economic growth, and
dry summer river beds will impact the agriculture sector.
Kashmir is geo-strategically located and serves as main source of water and power
generation for both Pakistan and India. The control of the region creates a zero sum
game in which the control of the rivers and glacial water could pose an existential threat
to the other.
Pakistan’s first Foreign Minister Zafarullah Khan: "If Kashmir should accede to
India, Pakistan might as well, from both economic and strategic points of
view, become a feudatory of India or cease of exist as an independent
sovereign state."
Original importance of Kashmir for Pakistan lies in the two-nation theory upon which
All India Muslim League based its demand for a separate Muslim homeland. The theory
mentions that the Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations who cannot live
together and that the Muslims of the subcontinent cannot lead their lives in full
accordance with their beliefs under Hindu domination. Indian control over Kashmir was
problematic because it was the sole Muslim majority region that was not given to
Pakistan. In contrast, the Hindu majority state of Junagadh, whose Muslim ruler
preferred to join Pakistan, was incorporated by India in 1948 at the time of
independence. It became a useful issue for Pakistani rules to gain political support
because it raises ‘deep passions and emotions’ that touch the heart of Pakistani identity.
For the majority of Pakistanis, Kashmir is so central to their national identity that
without it, partition of India and liberation of Pakistan still remains ‘fundamentally
incomplete’
The economic landscape of J&K doesn’t fare too well either as highlighted in an economic survey
by the J&K government in 2014-15. Unemployment in the Jammu & Kashmir state is at 4.9 per
cent compared to the all-India figure of 2.9 per cent. The report also noted that work
opportunities have not kept pace with the increasing population. The problem of unemployment
gains more importance because of higher incidence of unemployment among the educated
section of youth of the state. The share of industry in GSDP is around 20-25 per cent and the
growth of the industry has decelerated by about 4 per cent from 2007-08 to 2014-15. The state
also faces challenges when it comes to physical infrastructure as well as power supply.
Bilateral Efforts:
since the mumbai attack on and off steps have been taken by both the countries like high level
meetings of both the PMs , commissioners ,foreign advisers and secretaries but issue of mumbai
attack and stiff stance of India over Kashmir made it hard to reach an agreement. as it is evident
from the words of one of the high level officials that :a'' we are ready to talk to Pakistan on
every issue but Kashmir''.
Role of rightist elements is highly crucial in settling of a domestic policy of a nation. in both
India and Pakistan's case such elements have hampered the normalization of peace process and
resolution of this conflict. history is full of such mishaps like 2001 Indian parliament attack,
samjhota express attack, Mumbai attack etc. elements like Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Hindu
Mahasabha from India's side and Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba from Pakistan's side
are responsible for spoiling both the sides efforts and destroying their bilateral relations. until
and unless these extremist elements are removed for domestic arena, no positive policies will be
able to see success in the future.
a) Soft Borders.
Kashmir should have the same borders but free movement across the region be allowed for
people on both side of LoC. this was the very first suggestion of Musharraf in his four point
formula and it appears to be the best possible step that both sides can take over Kashmir.
this will enable people from both sides of Loc to meet and greet, and will also re-unite
families who were separated due to this division. it will not only ease out chaos in the area
but will also create a favorable environment for furthering the peace process, and finding
other more solutions to resolve this issue.
b) Self-governance.
self-governance appears to be the step in the right direction. for decades this region has been
under the control of unwanted authorities, who paved no heed to the plights of the people of
these regions. thus it should be the very first thing to do, to give those people right to govern
themselves. this will not only ease out there pain, but will improve governance and lead to
development of this region. also relations with its neighboring countries will improve once
stability is attained in this area. Musharraf told Geo TV on Oct 23, 2006 that: “There was a
fair amount of agreement that we need to give maximum (power) to the people
of Kashmir so that they have a feeling of governing themselves; i.e. self-rule,
short of independence''.
c) Demilitarization.
Region should be demilitarized i-e phased wised withdrawal of troops from the region. as
mentioned previously, almost 600,000-700,000 Indian troops are currently deployed in the
IHK for just 13 million population. Thus 1 officer for every 18 people. people of this valley
have been living under this fear and persecution for year. main reason of their revolt is their
anguish for troops. they believe that these are not to secure them but to maltreat them.
according to human rights agencies, in June 2010 alone, 33 people were killed including four
children, 572 people were tortured and injured and 8 women were molested, 117,345 people
were arrested and 105,861 houses or structures in the use of the communities were razed or
destroyed. thus demilitarization is something that these people are vying for. it will ease out
the sufferings of millions of people who have faced so much injustice for decades. and it
appears to be the only just thing to do in the current scenario.
d) Joint-mechanism.
owing to the obsession of both the sides over Kashmir issue, and owing to geo-strategic
importance of the territory ,it would not be viable to leave this newly released state alone.
so a joint-mechanism is necessary to oversee this whole peace building initiative and
enable to further improve the situation of the valley. apart from that it would satisfy the
egos of both the nations as well. Musharraf told Geo TV on Oct 23, 2006 : ''The joint
mechanism was to oversee that self-governance and also discussing
whatever we have not devolved to the people of both sides''.
Basically these are the moves needed from both the sides to break this stalemate. Currently
there is a deadlock situation, no more and no less. And it is not a new phenomenon, entire world
has been facing this situation for so many decades. so if one really wants to bring a real change
in this awkward scenario, and break the ice, then only these moves can lead us to our ultimate
solution i:e Kashmir's right of self determination as per UN resolution 47, which demands a
plebiscite in this region. these moves will prepare people and the stakeholders from all three
sides to devise further methods of improving the situation and will ultimately build a ground for
plebiscite. if instead of going for measures like these all three sides stood stiff on their individual
concerns, this issue would never get resolved in a peace full manner, and may further lead to
chaos and instability in the region and particularly between India and Pakistan. apart from all
this an instance of war also could not be ignored altogether ,since already we have fought three
full fledge wars over Kashmir in the past.
The first thing in the right direction will be to highlight the human rights violation by
UNMOGIP. Internationalizing this issue will put pressure on Indian side and will
convince them to come to the negotiation table.
Secondly, UN be asked to intervene and convince India to respect the 2003 ceasefire
agreement and end its violation by continuously indulging in cross Loc firings, which
has lead to number of deaths, not only of soldiers but civilians from both the sides.
Thirdly, USA be taken into confidence. As it is the only country that exerts a major
influence over India . Improving ties with US can have this added benefit of easing
out tensions with India.
Recently we are having a good time with our Russian counterpart Mr. Putin. Pakistan
can utilize this opportunity for resolve Kashmir issue. Tashkent declaration was also
the result of Russian diplomacy. Same way Russia can also play a major rule in
forcing India to change its stance over Kashmir.
China is also another major player in this respect, as it holds claim to aksai chin, a
disputed area of Kashmir between India and China. China is one of the leading trade
partners of India and an economic power of the world. Through UNSC and through
negotiations, china is in the position of coaxing India to change its position on
Kashmir.
Lastly, SAARC is the most suitable platform to force both the sides to come to terms.
This podium, if utilized fruitfully can enable all the states to find out ways to
implement the aforementioned workable solutions of the decade long conflict.
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Q. Kashmir has not only affected the people of the valley and the relations between
Pakistan and India but also hampered the development in South Asia. The world
scenario of conflicting policies and unrest calls on both the countries more than ever
to resolve the dispute amicably for stability and prosperity in the region. Based on
previous experiences what do you suggest would be the pragmatic solution of the
dispute and? How to achieve it?
Ans. Outline.
o Introduction.
o Brief history of the conflict.
o Its impacts over the region.
o Historical perspective of past failed attempts.
o Amicable and practical solutions and a roadmap to achieve those solutions.
o conclusion.