THE COUNTRY WITHOUT A POST OFFICE
by Shubho
Ever since the partition in 1947, Kashmir problem is simmering between India and Pakistan. Both countries fought three wars and the main cause of these wars has been Kashmir. India maintains that the one time princely state, Kashmir is its integral part. Pakistan contests this stance and has stresses a solution based on fair and free plebiscite which would allow the people decide their own future through a right of self determination; whether they wish to continue living in India or would want to secede and join Pakistan.
Though both India and Pakistan remain ‘fastened’ to their respective stands, there have been efforts on the way to resolve this decade’s long dispute between two nuclear neighbors. Various formulas are being discussed by which no one loses its face and a solution agreeable to all parties, is finalized. Deliberations of these talks, referred to as Track II diplomacy have been kept secret (for obvious reasons). Even in the valley itself three different views persist. 1) Those who think separation of Kashmir from Indian Union is unconceivable. 2) Those who want to secede from India and join Pakistan. 3) Those who would wish Kashmir an independent state.
Scant details of these options available are based on four different scenarios. It is said that the Chenab formula was almost agreed by all the parties before departure of Gen. Perviaz Musharraf from the scene.
Shortly before a no confidence move against him, Sardar Ateeq Ahmad Khan, former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir in an interview, did hint to some extent of a solution on similar lines.(WOP will cover this option including other scenarios in its next post)
The first one of this series is being inserted in our current issue. Written by Shubho, a fellow blogger from India, it will be followed by a second report by BBC on the four scenarios under consideration.
The third and the fourth post again from India show the picture in the valley and views by so many Indians who believe a solution of this 61 years old dispute must be sought.
We at WOP believe: being part of the Indian sub-continent, the two neighbors who share landmass, mountain ranges, rivers and seas, ancient cultures, history, and religions cannot be and should not be a hostage to this or that issue. Soft borders and free trade between the two can release immense potential in terms of tourism, intercultural exchange, and a common South Asian approach to world affairs.
