By Aziz A. Mubaraki,
It is difficult to envision that Kashmir, one of the most stunning places on earth, populated by peaceful inhabitants, can become the fillet of disputation between two countries, undoubtedly because of some snooty politicians on either side; who tried to divide the region on the basis of their expediency. But factually, the reason behind the unvarying friction between India & Pakistan is more political than anything that’s made to believe by either side.
Kashmir, as we know is a 222,236 sq km region in the northwestern Indian subcontinent, and is surrounded by China in the northeast, the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in the south, by Pakistan in the west, and by Afghanistan in the northwest. The region has been dubbed “disputed territory” between two neighboring countries, India and Pakistan since the painful partition of India in 1947. The southern and southeastern parts of the region make up the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, while the northern and western parts are controlled by Pakistan. A border called the Line of Control (agreed to in 1972) divides the two parts.
But it is equally important to know that the eastern area of Kashmir comprising the northeastern part of the region (Aksai Chin) is under the control of China since 1962, and not much has been done to recover the lost ground. The predominant religion in the Jammu area is Hinduism in the east and Islam in the west. Islam is also the main religion in the Kashmir valley and the Pakistan-controlled (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir or PoK) area, which they prefer to call as ‘Azaad Kashmir”, but it’s a matter of a separate debate as to how “Azaad” (free) that part of Kashmir is?
The conflict in Kashmir started soon after the partition of India in 1947 almost immediately after the decision where the State of Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India. And as Pakistan was also a claimant to the ownership of Kashmir, soon a war (1947-48) for its control started, thus dividing “Picturesque Kashmir” between Pakistan and Indian administered territorial dominion. A ceasefire line was agreed too under UN supervision, which has since been renamed as ‘Line of Control’. According to which one third of the territory has since been administered by Pakistan, while the remainder is administered by India that includes the Kashmir Valley as well.
But hostility did not end despite the set-up of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNCIP), where the UN Security Council passed two resolutions for the same. But then again, India and Pakistan were at war for Kashmir in 1965 and 1999. To further complicate matters in the region, the border with China also remains disputed as India does not recognize the border established after war between India and China in 1962. And it is no secret that China has habitually and diplomatically been an ally and has favored Pakistan in the past. And with recent Intrusion of about 50 PLA troopers ten miles inside Daulat Baig Oldi is a clear and blatant act of violation of international border. This is not the first time that China has betrayed its lurking desire of coveting more and more territories contiguous to its borders. This is the old time habit of the authorities in Beijing to nibble at the borders and create unusual situation. Their patent methodology is to make swift intrusion, paint stones and boulders red and inscribe China on them, destroy Indian symbols if any close by and leave the site. But in the present incursion in Daulat Baig Oldi conducted on 15 of April, the Chinese pitched tents and established military posts ten miles inside the Indian Territory. They marked the boulders red with China inscribed on them. Some Chinese helicopters were also seen flying over the scene of intrusion apparently to provide cover to the intruding Chinese troops. On learning about the intrusion, Indian army dispatched troops to the spot and asked the adversary to send their representative for a flag meeting between the commanders. As usual, the Chinese side claimed the territory as their own and did not show willingness to have a look at the map and the documents related to the ground position.
But this is not the first incursion of its kind. It is the repetition of a well calculated policy of China to disturb normalcy on Sino-Indian border whether in Ladakh or in the Eastern sector of Sino-Indian border. We know that China has developed highly effective network of border roads and connectivity besides the rail link to Lhasa in Tibet. China has the ambitious plan of building railway line along the Karakorum Highway connecting her Xingjian province to Pakistan and finally through Pakistan to Gawadar sea port on the Makran coast in Arabian Gulf! Perception after the fact shows that the essential purpose of these intrusions is to test India’s military competence of defending the forward posts. The Chinese know that after every intrusion, Indians would call for flag meeting, debate the issue, promise restoration of normalcy and put a lid on the boiling pot till it is forgotten and the Chinese remain in occupation under the frequently repeated but seldom honored pretext of withdrawing from the intruded areas. India side, feeling shy of talking to Chinese in a language which they would identify with, have been found playing down the incidents and calling if faceoff with the Chinese. Even in this case as well, the Indian side has termed it faceoff and has expressed the hope that tension will die down and normalcy will return. Nobody has tried to assess how far the Chinese have kept such promises in the past and what inference we need to draw from our past experience. Will a day dawn when India’s apologetic stance will be reversed and practical politics takes its natural course in India’s foreign policy?
But then Chinese oft-intrusions and Indian military competence is the matter of a separate debate, and therefore coming back to the primary issue, the apparent irreconcilable territorial claims in Kashmir. There seems no immediate conclusion to this contravention! India and Pakistan both are nuclear powers now the stakes in this conflict are of grave prognosis with global significance. As it holds the potential for local violence to spark into larger conflicts is very high. It’s a realizable truth that Kashmir problem has consumed thousands of lives and has damaged every aspect of Kashmiri society; thousands have died while hundreds are missing. But irrespective of its disastrous results, there are distractions that urgently need sane advice to save Kashmir. Primarily, an intellectually mature response of Kashmiri masses and its leaders towards the Kashmir problem shall not be advantageous to Kashmir only, but it shall also save human lives, money and energy of India, Pakistan and other nations. The concern governments must take into account that imprudent mindset shall not bring any positive result. They must learn from their mistakes and highlight the counterproductive results of ill-advised practices and initiative ‘Confidence Building Measures” that certainly shall bring peace; harmony, development and may help in solving the ethical crisis of present Kashmiri society.
Although it is easier for political leaders to earn brownies over their opponent’s inaptness that may help them accumulate votes and remain in power. But it shall be good for both the countries to talk less on Kashmir and more for the well beings of the people of both the nations. There should not be any point of divergence between the two neighbor countries that were once a part of an undivided India. The people of both the nations are alike in appearance, language, culture, customs, mode of thinking, and even in ethics of religion, even though the religion of the majority community is different. But then both the religions believe in the welfare of the common people- to help the poor in distress, to help the victim in danger and to do prayer to Al-mighty almost every day for the good of mankind.
Perhaps, now the time has come to settle the dispute forever as the occupation of Kashmir by force is nothing but to welcome the animosity. A country big or small is impossible to acquire by force in the 21st century, whereas nothing stands impossible for the people provided the feelings of brotherhood, neighborhood, and zeal of oneness is intact!
Therefore it is important for the neighbours to realize the ground realities and work on creating political consensus in their respective countries that may pave the path for fruitful dialogue and resolution to many issues that may include Kashmir as well. It is very important to also involve Kashmiris in these talks and accept them as stakeholders. And the best way ahead shall be to have more pragmatic approach towards the crises and exchange mutual views to enhance good relations and be more accommodating keeping the point of dispute of Kashmir or Mumbai detached primarily.
Although it is imperative for Pakistan to realize that Indian government has no power to alter anything of Kashmir, an integral part of India without the consent of the people of India. Similarly India must acknowledge that Pakistan government cannot do anything against the leaders of terrorists without the support of “majority mass”, the people of Pakistan. Pakistan Government knows its deficiency when the world body says Pakistan is the epic-center of terrorism. But despite knowing the terrorist activities of Pakistan, United States of America are not going away from Pakistan or against Pakistan rather United State is interested in sharing the difficulties with Pakistan. India also should share the difficulties of Pakistan in the process of tackling the terrorists in Pakistan soil. A mutual understanding is bound to increase the neighborly relations- the ultimate of which will nullify the terrorist activity and bring a permanent peace in Kashmir and in the region as well.
The two neighbors must move forward for the sake of peace and stability in the region, work together as cohort to root out terrorism. There is now a dire and immediate need to change old mindsets of hollow rhetoric and give way to a new and progressive thought. Both Pakistan and India need to avoid shortsighted policies for short-term political gains, which have resulted in poisoning their relations in the past and the present. Now it is time to turn their attention towards the gigantic task of eradicating poverty and raising the standard of living of the vast mass of their peoples living below the poverty line.
While realizing this goal will not be easy, given the past history of mutual distrust between India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri’s however if the issue is to be earnestly resolved there is no substitute for political will on all sides. Attempts at building trust, would be the first foundational step on setting out on the path for resolving what has been possibly the longest and maybe the bloodiest running disputes in the world.
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Aziz A. Mubaraki is Member, Advisory Committee, Airport Authority of India (NSC), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India