The matter of Kashmir

Do we even have an answer?

If the future is going to be like the past, Pakistan and India might never even get close to resolving Kashmir; not before a lot more deaths, at least. The circle has gone on since forever. There’s distance, even political/diplomatic aggression, then there’s suddenly talk of talks, then there’s some incident – like Mumbai or Pathankot – and everything is dumped in cold storage till the same process, more or less, is repeated. Neither side’s more drastic tactics have succeeded. The Indians never subdued the Kashmiris, no matter how big an occupation force they piled in the Valley. And attempts to fuel armed uprisings have produced martyrs, but never any freedom. Yet neither side is willing to change course.

With a more belligerent, and very far-right, government in Delhi, Kashmir was bound to feel a tighter squeeze than usual. And Modi did not disappoint his hardline constituency. However, in its enthusiasm the BJP government might have crossed one line too many.

With a more belligerent, and very far-right, government in Delhi, Kashmir was bound to feel a tighter squeeze than usual. And Modi did not disappoint his hardline constituency. However, in its enthusiasm the BJP government might have crossed one line too many. This was clearly an indigenous uprising. Hafiz Saeed or the lashkars and jaishes that India believes run the Kashmiri freedom struggle played no hand in this one. And India’s reaction, especially the use of pellet guns that has blinded hundreds, if not thousands, has set a new low, even by India’s standards in Kashmir.

It would have helped the Kashmiris’ struggle, though, if our foreign ministry were a little more streamlined, to say the least. The prime minister has appointed 22 envoys – who will shuttle the world advocating the Kashmir cause – but he still does not feel the need for a full time foreign minister. That the foreign office now regularly appears clueless on important international developments, perhaps because it is rudderless, does not seem to bother the PM too much. Sure, we will take the case to the UN again; but how far has that helped in the past? Islamabad seems to understand that it needs greater international spotlight. But it also seems without any workable plan. Azad Kashmir’s new president feels involving the EU and the US Congress might be a good idea, but what about heavy Indian lobbying that dominates the chessboard there? Before helping Kashmir, Pakistan needs a plan.