Kashmir
issue, since independence has remained a thorn in the otherwise peaceful Indian
foreign policy. It has led to three major wars with Pakistan in last 65 years
and still there seem no easy solutions to this problem. Various formulae are
proposed by many stakeholders to resolve the stalemate in Kashmir.
1.
Maintain status-quo – Line of Control to be the boundary beyond which, no party
would interfere. India has been maintaining this stance to keep peace in the
region. But, this would be at best a temporary solution. Pakistan has been
repeatedly violating this scheme through state sponsored terrorism in Kashmir.
This has also led to huge militarization of the region causing distress among
the local population.
2.
Abrogate Article 370 – Kashmir is an inseparable part of India and Article 370,
which limits the applicability of union laws to Kashmir, only fuels the
separatist tendency of the region. This argument has been put forward by
nationalists in India. But, abrogating Article 370 would not be an easy
solution as this would change the way of life in political circles in Kashmir, which
would fuel already existing deep resentment among the local population against
Union of India.
3. Hold referendum
to decide the fate of Kashmir – Proposed by a section of local population in
Kashmir. During the accession of Kashmir in India, it was proposed that the
Union of India would let referendum to be held in Kashmir. But, this stalled
for decades for various reasons. Now, with completely changed circumstances,
this would not be a solution any party would agree to – India or Pakistan.
Kashmir issue
can be a major limiting factor in the way of India becoming an economic and
military power house in future. It is imperative that the new government find
solutions not only through peaceful means but also through assertive means by
growing its economic clout over the world. Developing the region and
demilitarization would be important steps that India would like to take in
future. But, this can only happen when the destabilization of the region is
stopped by Pakistan.
