In the buildup to UN General Assembly session, there was never really a doubt that Pakistan would continue to push Kashmir issue on the global stage and seek intervention by world community to resolve this longstanding dispute with India.
After Wani’s killing in Kashmir spurred a new uprising against Indian government, Pakistan had successfully highlighted the plight of Kashmiris and exposed Indian atrocities in the region.
India was certainly feeling immense pressure over weeks of deadly violence in the valley, but then the attack on an Indian army base in Uri happened.
India prematurely blamed a Pakistan-backed militant group for the attack, heightening tensions between the two sides and even creating the possibility of a military conflict.
Despite the Uri incident, Pakistan’s premier Sharif continued with hectic diplomacy at the UN session, reiterating that peace between Pakistan and India was “not possible without resolving the Kashmir issue.”
He further urged the UN to demilitarize Jammu and Kashmir region and implement its own resolutions on Kashmir.
Recent escalation in tensions validate Pakistan’s stance that Kashmir is the real bone of contention between the two neighbors. Any efforts to normalize relations or build trust will not bear fruit till the end of this dispute.
In the presence of hawkish elements on both sides, there is always the risk of taking one step forward but retreating two steps back if Kashmir is excluded from any future peace dialogue.
The timing of Uri attack, in particular, led to conclusions by Pakistani media that this was an “inside job” by India itself or could be a reaction to Indian brutalities in Kashmir. To a certain extent, the attack gave some breathing space to India.
It shifted focus from Indian aggression in Kashmir to militancy in the region and warning about a possible India-Pakistan war.
During the UN session, India hit back sharply at Pakistan, terming it a ‘terrorist state’ that uses terrorist groups as ‘military proxies’ against neighboring countries.
Militancy would hurt the indigenous, youth-driven freedom struggle by Kashmiris and make the world less sympathetic to their cause. Pakistan must learn from history and distance itself from backing any such groups accused of perpetrating terrorism.
With the initial war rhetoric now subsiding, recent events show the fragility of relations between India and Pakistan.
It takes only one uninvestigated attack, warmongering media and a handful of angry public statements to quash peace prospects between the two sides.
Fortunately, common sense prevails in the end with mature calls for ascertaining truths about these terrorist incidents, but setting up another investigation commission does not serve the purpose as seen after Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.
Both sides need to find a common ground and kick start the derailed peace process based on broad issues of mutual interest.
As pointed out by Sharif, the world would ignore rising tension in South Asia at its own peril.
The global community, in particular the US that enjoys bilateral ties with both India and Pakistan, can no longer be bystanders.
The world must play a part in promoting peace dialogue between the two arch-rivals on all outstanding issues.
After Wani’s killing in Kashmir spurred a new uprising against Indian government, Pakistan had successfully highlighted the plight of Kashmiris and exposed Indian atrocities in the region.
India was certainly feeling immense pressure over weeks of deadly violence in the valley, but then the attack on an Indian army base in Uri happened.
India prematurely blamed a Pakistan-backed militant group for the attack, heightening tensions between the two sides and even creating the possibility of a military conflict.
Despite the Uri incident, Pakistan’s premier Sharif continued with hectic diplomacy at the UN session, reiterating that peace between Pakistan and India was “not possible without resolving the Kashmir issue.”
He further urged the UN to demilitarize Jammu and Kashmir region and implement its own resolutions on Kashmir.
Recent escalation in tensions validate Pakistan’s stance that Kashmir is the real bone of contention between the two neighbors. Any efforts to normalize relations or build trust will not bear fruit till the end of this dispute.
In the presence of hawkish elements on both sides, there is always the risk of taking one step forward but retreating two steps back if Kashmir is excluded from any future peace dialogue.
The timing of Uri attack, in particular, led to conclusions by Pakistani media that this was an “inside job” by India itself or could be a reaction to Indian brutalities in Kashmir. To a certain extent, the attack gave some breathing space to India.
It shifted focus from Indian aggression in Kashmir to militancy in the region and warning about a possible India-Pakistan war.
During the UN session, India hit back sharply at Pakistan, terming it a ‘terrorist state’ that uses terrorist groups as ‘military proxies’ against neighboring countries.
Militancy would hurt the indigenous, youth-driven freedom struggle by Kashmiris and make the world less sympathetic to their cause. Pakistan must learn from history and distance itself from backing any such groups accused of perpetrating terrorism.
With the initial war rhetoric now subsiding, recent events show the fragility of relations between India and Pakistan.
It takes only one uninvestigated attack, warmongering media and a handful of angry public statements to quash peace prospects between the two sides.
Fortunately, common sense prevails in the end with mature calls for ascertaining truths about these terrorist incidents, but setting up another investigation commission does not serve the purpose as seen after Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.
Both sides need to find a common ground and kick start the derailed peace process based on broad issues of mutual interest.
As pointed out by Sharif, the world would ignore rising tension in South Asia at its own peril.
The global community, in particular the US that enjoys bilateral ties with both India and Pakistan, can no longer be bystanders.
The world must play a part in promoting peace dialogue between the two arch-rivals on all outstanding issues.
