Impalpable
Movement on Kashmir Issue
By G Mujtaba
Canada
During the last two days, the
news are pouring in to indicate that there is
some, though impalpable, movement on the Kashmir
issue going on behind the scene. The first item
below could well be a piece of wishful thinking
or speculative journalism. The second one indicates
that there is some stir going on in the ruling
political circles of New Delhi to get prepared
before the expected encounter between the leaders
of the two countries. The third one indicates
the possible moves and direction to be considered
next to further the momentum on Kashmir talks.
The frustrated mind of the Indian leadership was
reflected in their whimsical thinking that they
would 'ultimately' be able to prey the determination
of Pakistani people with their 'powerful' weapons
of cricket and bollywood. Avoiding the current
peace process by the Indian leadership was evident
when the Delhi government faced a dilemma last
week to invite Pakistan president who intends
to break the impasse by taking advantage of the
cricket diplomacy.
Ultimately the Indians had to show 'courtesy'
by extending invitation while reiterating conventional
Indian position on Kashmir and Indian EAM saying
bluntly that the Pakistani leader's visit would
be limited to the confines of the cricket stadium.
President Musharraf on the other hand would like
to articulate his country's viewpoint on Kashmir
and the need to move forward on the peace process
track. If he would not be able to see his counterparts
in New Delhi, he would do it before the media
there. If not allowed, he should address the audience
in the cricket stadium there.
The Indian leadership has been avoiding the higher
level dialogue on Kashmir for quite some time
now that is necessary to keep the momentum alive
of the overall 'composite dialogue.' First they
found the opportunity to have the SAARC summit
postponed and now they are avoiding Musharraf's
desire to take opportunity of the cricket meet
to reach the Indian leaders for a further meaningful
dialogue at the higher level.
The Indian leaders have yet not embraced the demands
of the Kashmiri leadership to initiate a dialogue
on their side of Kashmir but are just left with
the usual option to gain time one way or the other.
While the visit of Indian Punjab's CM's visit
of Pakistan is currently heading in the right
direction, let us hope that the upcoming visit
of President Musharraf to India would go beyond
watching fours-and-sixes and will be fruitful
in breaking the standoff on the Kashmir issue.
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