After his first positive response last week to the 4-point proposal mooted by Pakistan president General Musharraf’s to resolve the Kashmir issue, Manmohan Singh has again welcomed any new idea from any quarter to sort out the pending issues between the two countries. General Musharraf has enough reason to be happy over the Indian Prime Ministers response, which is aimed at building an atmosphere of mutual trust. At his latest Amritsar speech, Dr. Manmohan Singh made a passionate appeal to Pakistan for putting the past behind us since the destiny of the two nations is inter-linked. This alone can lead to an enduring peace and prosperity in the region and create a situation in which India and Pakistan can sign a Treaty of Peace, Security and Friendship. Until that happens there is very little chance for the two countries working jointly in real terms to let their people live a better life.
The vision is quite clear and neither India nor Pakistan can disagree. The problem arises when it comes to implementation. Despite Musharraf’s clear pronouncement, Pakistani militants are still active in not only Jammu and Kashmir but elsewhere in India as well. Day in and day out, Pakistani militants or others trained in Pakistan are arrested by the Indian security forces from various places. Militant training camps in Pakistan have not been totally shut down. Madrasas considered to be the breeding grounds for extremist and fundamentalist ideology, are still functional. In such an atmosphere, the ideas of Dr. Manmohan Singh appear to be a distant dream, at least for now.
In his 4- point proposal, the General has spoken of giving up the demand for a plebiscite in Kashmir. This cannot be considered an act of grace since the United Nations itself has rejected the idea. As far as the resolutions on Kashmir Passed by the United Nations are concerned, these have been thrown out by no less a person than the out going Secretary General of the World Body Mr. Kofi Anan as out of date. Pakistan, which had to act first by withdrawing its army from POK, as per the resolutions passed in 1948, refused to do so for decades after these were passed in 1948. Seeking their implementation half a century later is only absurd. If the General is now talking about forgoing this demand, it is a natural fall out of the passage of time. His idea of demilitarization is impressive, but this will depend upon the level of terrorism sponsored by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
The General stumbles about the concept of self-rule as well. The part of Jammu and Kashmir now with India already has a fully democratic set up with representative bodies directly elected by the people on the basis of adult franchise. In contrast, it is the Pakistan Occupied area of the state, which needs such a democratic structure, or self rule. The fact is that Islamabad directly rules POK and the northern areas are yet to see a representative assembly or any forum to voice their feelings.
The only new thing the General has mentioned is the concept of “Joint Supervision”. Though he has not elaborated on this, it is clear that Musharraf wants a foot- hold in Kashmir through the back door. Pakistan failed to annex Kashmir even after fighting four limited and unlimited wars with India and by waging a proxy war for the last 16 years. It is now trying a new tantrum to gain entry into Kashmir.
One may argue that the General has only taken a cue from what Dr. Manmohan Singh said in Amritsar months ago. He “envisaged a situation where the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir can, with the active encouragement of the governments of India and Pakistan, work out cooperative, consultative mechanisms so as to maximize the gains of cooperation in solving problems of social and economic development of the region”. This, by any stretch of imagination, an invitation for joint supervision of the area by India and Pakistan.
Clearly, the General wants to hit many birds with one stone. Domestically, his graph is plummeting. And with elections expected soon, he naturally wants to keep his constituency under an illusion that he is pursuing the Kashmir issue with India. Internationally, he wants to convince the western countries that he is prepared to go to any extent to settle disputes with India. But the heart of the matter is that he wants to get into Kashmir by hook or by crook.
The NATO, the US and the European Union have already criticized Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir. A draft European Parliament report released recently said “continuing calls for a plebiscite on the final status of Jammu and Kashmir are wholly out of step with the needs of the local people and thus damaging to their interests”.
By rejecting out of hand, any idea of independence for Jammu and Kashmir, President Musharraf has disappointed the separatist elements in the state. Perhaps it is time for them to take a lesson or two from it.
Despite all this, it is worthwhile to give a serious consideration to any new idea on Kashmir, from wherever it comes. After all, if issues have to be resolved dialogue has to take place. At the same time, India has to be wary of any move it makes with Pakistan. Islamabad has to travel miles and miles before a proper trust can be built with it for a genuine move forward.
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