The Beginning of the End of the Kashmir Problem

This is a well-balanced review of the various parties involved in the Kashmir dispute. For the raod map to work, I think it should include incentives for both governments to see it in their self-interest to make peace. Unless that basic will is present, no particular path will work. The good news is that Musharaff is not stupid (like Saddam was), and knows when it is in his interest to do something. And, as they say in Pakistan, a smart enemy is better than a stupid friend.

Quite a fair, balanced and positive article. Instead of decorating your article with prejudices, half-truths and rhetoric, the author has argued for the peace process in a mature and impartial manner. I hope this sentiment is expressed by other Indian and Pakistani chowkies too.

Dost Mittarji: Your idea is too optimistic. I have a better idea. Actively let the Jehadi MMA come to power. Then challenge them to take Kashmir from us if they can. Demonstrate to the world and Pakistan, that the threat of ``deal now or wait for those who are worse`` will no longer work.

The Pakistani Army has already demonstrated that they cannot take Kashmir by force. Let the Jehadis come to power in Islamabad and then bring home their inability to take Kashmir from us.

Hmm, His Excellency is coming across as a dove compared to me??? What the hell??

Anyways, you guys can dream on. I don`t know why everyone is so unrealistic. The mention of talks makes Iindians think that Pakistan is ready to convert LOC into border and Pakistanis think that India is ready to let go of the valley.

Neither is the case. Till one gets tired, this conflict won`t end. There is no win win solution.

Good honest article, perhaps involve yearning for a peaceful southasia. I can pnly say this: Pakistani mainstream politicians, no matter how corrupt, inept they may be, they are one or two step ahead of military establishment in desire to bring this bloody chapter of history to close. Balochi sardars don`t care, Panjabi feudals don`t care, Pashtun nationalists don`t care and Sindhi vaderas dont care about continuing hostility towards India and cultural kins.

re: #4 by stuka

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The mention of talks makes Iindians think that Pakistan is ready to convert LOC into border and Pakistanis think that India is ready to let go of the valley.
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I don`t think Pakistanis are expecting a plebiscite anymore. I believe a statement was made by Pakistan`s Foreign Office yesterday that Pakistan will not insist on UN resolutions during the talks with India. That rules out at least one of the maximalist positions.

Instead of the abrupt approach adopted in Lahore Declaration, a slow and cautious approach will yield better results. Cynicism and skepticism needs time and sustained efforts to subside. It is interesting to note that so far Musharraf and Advani have not commented on talks offer by Vajpayee. Only Kasuri, Yashwant Sinha, Jamali and Vajpayee are making statements. Does this mean anything??

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dost mittar:

You have covered a lot of ground faithfully and fairly. But….this but is the word that is unsettling and unraveling.

Peace maybe in india’s interest. Is it in Pakistan’s interest? (please read the ‘Occupying Army and its manifold reaches into all facets of pakistani society’ for Pakistan.) Mumkin tou har cheez hosakhti hay, laikin such yeh hay kay aisa hota nazar nahin aata.

Kashmir is the raison d`eter of the Army’s stranglehold over the nation. No Kashmir: no raison d’etre. All other factors notwithstanding. Kashmir as a ‘mas’ala’ as an issue is the golden egg laying goose for the Army. It will not, it can not divorce itself of this issue. It will not and it can not stand the nation`s scrutiny if the Kashmir issue is resolved.

my two khotta paisa`s worth.

rgds,

t

That`s fine . . . our Great Indian Leaders are now going about trying to provide Certificates and Diplomas of Reduced Terrorism to the Pakistani Estabishment . . .

well balanced article.written with good will.``discard the solgans of atoot-ang``is very important in the dialogue,.i think india and pakistan is sincerly want to do some peaceful end.kashmirs shall be party to achieve the end.

HisExcellency:

``It is interesting to note that so far Musharraf and Advani have not commented on talks offer by Vajpayee. Only Kasuri, Yashwant Sinha, Jamali and Vajpayee are making statements. Does this mean anything?? ``

My untrained eye says that it id the US hard diplomacy at work. I have a theory..it is to the interest of the Indian Hawks to get as right wing, as Jehadi a government in Pakistan thereby making matters come to a head.

It is not in American interests for that to happen.

Beyond that, I was very hopeful during both Lahore and Agra. Twice bitten, thrice shy.

Nand Uncle,

Thanks for laying out the roadmap in a very rational manner and defining an interesting topic for this article.

I would like to delve into your point by point narrative, but I have a comment to make on the aspect of communication, intent and trust.

100% trust will never exist in this scenario based on the history and recent past. There has to be an initiation step towards paving the path for decent bilateral relations. And, definitely some ( 5% - 10%) trust and decent communication is better than 0% or -10%, to begin with.

On another note, it`s real important to take this issue as a real business case scenario and define clear cut parameters with the blessing of three sides to measure the progress (in this case steps towards the resolution of outstanding issues). If you do not define the parameters, there is no way that you will be able to gauge the progress and all roadmaps will do down the drain. Everything will remain in the air like it has been for the past 50 plus years. In a nutshell, it`s like taking the bull by its horns and getting those parameters out in black and white and then following them diligently.

Musharraf`s challenge is that he cannot make everyone happy. So getting internal support and buy-in is real important to have decent/significant support. Keep in mind that in the past, everything has not been happening with the blessings of the ruling governments. If aira ghaira nathoo khaira(for the sake of brevity, let`s call him AGNK) desired to go and fight for Kashmir or for that matter Afghanistan(to sniff hasheesh), he did not pay his respects in the court of Madame Bhutto or Mr. Nawaz Shareef or Mr. Tarar or even Pres Musharraf. The dheet AGNK took his boriya bistar along with his teer kaman and khun`jar and went on his holy journey without giving any damn to anyone . The government had no way of learning about AGNK`s missionary journey; and once the news were broadcast, the authorities had no way of stopping the holy journey!

How successful has Yasir Arafat been in asking the suicide bombers to stop leaning towards that extreme?

I remembered a few years back Musharraf spelled that out very clearly to discourage ``jehadis`` from taking that route.

What is/was the % of success in thar regard?

I am not sure. But the message was aired with a lot of vehemence; and that must be appreciated!

Lastly, Nand Uncle, Indian and Pakistani thought process and approach on certain matters is very different from each other. I know for the sake of simplifying things and finding a resolution to the long outstanding items, we want to focus on the commonalities vs. the differences, but it`s real important to listen to each other carefully in the process of resolving any issues. Nursing any preconceived notions, for we were part of the same continent, is not fair. I am just highlighting an objective observation vs. a subjective one.

This has nothing to do with the color of the people or the spices they sprinkle on their food or the chai they care to sip or the garbs they care to don... this has a lot to do with the philosophy and mantra on identity and vision.

Indians are fortunate to have a lot of internal roadmaps laid out for them. Pakistan is in the process of chalking out such steps and with every new government these roadmaps and their focus keeps on getting diverted.

Rest Later,

Regards.

dost-mittar-ji

I hope you are right. But I am very, very doubtful. The same old faujis are strutting around in Pakistan. The same old nonsensical ``just cause`` crapola can be found in the newspapers. On the indian side, we now have influential people who are quite fond of the idea of pakistan as the eternal enemy (new since the 90s).

Is there really a people-power movement for peace? It is still pretty feeble. How can there be settlement of such a big problem without internal change within Pakistan? On the indian side we have had a change in the last decade but it is in the wrong direction !

Don`t forget that after 62 the US forced six months of talk. There was no change in the situation or in attitude on either side.

A well laid-out article following in a logical pattern.
Good read.

‘O look, look in the mirror,
O look in your distress;
Life remains a blessing
Although you cannot bless.

O stand, stand at the window
As the tears scald and start;
You shall love your crooked neighbor
With your crooked heart.’

- WH Auden

Mittar-jee; this article was a pleasure to read. I can only hope the people in charge read this, and are still capable of imbibing some of the sensibility you so hopefully articulate.

Seamus Heaney kehta hai:

History says, Don`t hope
on this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
the longed for tidal wave
of justice can rise up,
and hope and history rhyme.


Warm regards,

Aamir