Kashmir Solution
By Lalit Bagai
Denmark

The Kashmir issue is exhausting the energies of the two South Asian countries - Pakistan and India, One needs an innovative situation, which would please all, including the Kashmiri Muslims.
One solution would be a united Kashmir state- protected by the UN. Economically, the state could face some problems, but those would be small considering that the people of Kashmir would gain freedom. Both Pakistan and India should be paid by the international community as a sweetener, with some money also on the sideline in Swiss banks for those leaders who can make this possible.
Most Hindus have no emotional attachment to the valley, especially those in the states of the south and the east. But the people of Jammu and Ladakh do want to stay in India.
Way back I advocated this solution in a memo to the foreign ministry of India. Some of the people thought it was not a bad idea, but that was all.
Unfortunately the leadership in both countries is not strong or respected enough by their people.
This type of solution requires people of the stature of the late General de Gaulle..
I hope nevertheless that a bold and innovative solution could be found. Most of my family and friends today would rather travel to Switzerland or the Nordic countries than risk their lives in Kashmir.

 

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