Positive statements from both sides
2016 was one of the worst years in recent times with respect to not only terrorism but also natural calamities, untimely deaths and election/referendum upsets. Unfortunately it has also become a year that will be remembered for a deterioration in Indo-Pak relations that was last witnessed post the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
This latest spat is a byproduct of the Pathankot attack back in January and the killing of freedom fighter Burhan Wani in Kashmir in July that was followed by atrocities at the hands of Indian forces against the people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK). Pakistan has been very vocal about highlighting Indian atrocities in IOK at every forum including the UN.
As a result there has been an escalation in ceasefire violations along the LoC with both civilian and military casualties on both sides. A complete deadlock persists with regards to talks or any sort of leeway from either side to normalise relations.
However, recent statements have provided an inkling of hope that relations might be leading towards positive territory. In a tweet, Indian Prime Minister Modi wished Nawaz Sharif happy birthday and prayed for his long and healthy life. Earlier, former foreign minister Yashwant Sinha expressed his opinion that the current unrest in Kashmir is a good opportunity for India’s state and central governments to open dialogue with ‘all stakeholders’ on the Kashmir issue.
A week back Commander Southern Command Lt General Amir Riaz invited India to join CPEC, something that China is not opposed to. Of course tweets, opinions and invitations alone cannot be enough to resolve the ongoing conflict but at least it is a move in the right direction.
India’s plan to isolate Pakistan has failed. The only way forward for the two countries is to resolve the Kashmir issue and improve mutual relations through dialogue, They need to realise that this sooner than later will help stop the increasingly large body count this latest episode of tensions has already piled up.
Pakistan should vacate pOK and also close all terror shops
India will have to study details of OBOR(CPEC) from the commercial & security perspectives. This will take few years.
Grow up. The defination of occupation is the occupier and the occupied do not speak the same language, eat the same food, celebrate the same holidays, worship the same God, have the same culture, and do not want you to control their lives. So who POK and IHK. When your PM goes to Kashmir, the city shuts down, on your Independence Day the Kashmiris wear black armbands and shut down the city. The occupier tries to raise the flag and it falls on the floor. Wake up Major. All this should tell you something
In 1947 a bloody nation was created and carved out of a country that has history of civilization for over 5000 years.Islam is relative new to the region and most of the followers are forcefully converted Hindus. Kashmir has and always will have a very rich Hindu association that goes back for centuries. If people of some region are seeking commonality with others then they should leave and join them as they did before!
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