By: Abdul Shakoor Shah
Kashmir is the worst crisis of the century. It has been neglected since seven decades. The bone of contention is punctuated by three wars and many battles between tow atomic powers, innumerable acts of terrorism and violation of rights is calling for a solemn effort to resolve the half-forgotten Kashmir catastrophe. The international community led by the U.S., U.K, USSR, China, OIC, SARC and other blocks needs to move ahead for Kashmir defrayal. India’s illegal, inhuman and unjustified occupation is culminating hostility and extremism in Muslim population within and outside Kashmir. It will trigger radicalization of Kashmiries in the West. In the U.K., around 60% of the 1.5 million British nationals from Azad Kashmir are profoundly affected by what happens in Kashmir.
There could be national security implications for the international community, especially for the U.K. and U.S. There are potentially pecuniary costs too. After the military stand-off in 2001/2, the U.K govt. estimated that Indo-Pak nuclear conflict could cost the U.K. up to £20 billion, insecurity of the British nationals in the region, vaulted migration pressures, unemployment, humanitarian and reconstruction costs. Same is the case with many other countries which are directly or indirectly interlinked with the Kashmir crisis. The international community’s efforts to settle the bone of contention between two atomic powers of the region started only weeks after the dispute emerged in October 1947.The conflict remained in the world’s focus for long till Indo-Pak Shimla accord in 1972 to resolve it bilaterally. The rebellion against ruthless Indian rule in Kashmir occurred in1989 which brought the crux of the contention back to world’s radar. Kashmir has now become a nuclear flash point which can sabotage peace in the world and specifically in Asia.
The UN and international community have been trying to resolve the conflict according to UN resolutions, but it all in vain. India has been consistently refusing international roles for the settlement of the issue. The UN has a repetitive failure history of aggravation about the Kashmir crisis. Ironically, India brought the Kashmir problem to the UN in 1948 first, and now she is turning a deaf ear to its solution. Now Kashmir is considered a trauma of the UN, which can never gain her image of neutrality and problem solving institution by putting aside Kashmir divergence. International support to Kashmir has been US backed blocks. The Washington-London rivalry due to the recent imperial Lord of Sub-continent was also one point in this regard. Britain tried to resolve it through diplomatic missions but of not avail. Initially USSR stood aloof apparently, though its inclination was toward India in the earliest stages.
United Nations Council for India and Pakistan (UNCIP), recommended ceasefire, withdrawal of forces and international supervised plebiscite through a resolution. With the exception of the cease fire recommendation of UNCIP, the rest are never implemented. Due to fear of losing Kashmir through plebiscite, India started creating hurdles in the implementation of UNCIP recommendations. The UN set up a Military Observers’ group along with the ceasefire line which remained effective till 1965 war. The Eisenhower administration put an end to the US led vague hope of Kashmir settlement after 1954. Moscow started to stanch favor of India which ensures that Moscow will veto any resolution on Kashmir. Washington kept on trying just to keep his ally Pakistan happy. The other countries stepped back by foreseeing the impossibilities of resolving the conflict.
The US, U.k and USSR tried to settle the problem as per UN resolutions but the dispute prolonged. Two of US Offices got personally involved to heave out remedy for this trauma but failed due to Indian stubbornness. Indian defeat by Chinese in the 1962 border war put a settlement within reach, but both the countries failed after six rounds of negotiation backed by the US and U.k. Moscow in 1966Agreement plan of Tashkent ended the second India-Pak War, but the core issue of Kashmir remained unsettled. The Tashkent conference was the last serious effort to settle the problem until 1989. In 80s US led in her efforts to Kashmir resolution till 1999 when Mr. Clinton was involved in the matter.
In 1998 paved way to international calls about the seriousness of Kashmir cause when the two countries tested nuclear weapons. The Security Council and the Group of Eight urged both the countries to resolve matters through negotiations. These explosions led the world community to focus on maintaining the stability of the subcontinent and lessened the importance it attached to the equities of the Kashmir issue. World community realized the fact that Kashmir is a nuclear flash point in Asia which can sabotage world peace. World community, especially the US, Uk, USSR and China should step forward earnestly to use their influence for the settlement to put an end to instability prevailing in Asia for more than seven decades. There is a dire need of joint effort by OIC, UN and other blocks to ensure peace and stability in Asian and to save the world from the havoc of atomic war. Mainly the US with her world powers role must step ahead diplomatically for the peaceful resolution of the problem.
US-India strategic ties can play a vital role in this regard to persuade India to some reasonable settlement as the US has played its role in the Kargil war. India’s dreams of becoming Asian albatross can be possible after settling the Kashmir issue. Kashmir settlement is also in favor of the international community for their constructive role in Asia, especially it is in the best interests of US interests in South Asia. Pakistan has always played a crucial role as being stanch US ally in war against terrorism after 9/11. Now it is the responsibility of the US and international community to stand with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. During G. Musahrif’s regime, it is said that matter was about to be settled but unforeseen powers halted the progress. There were many happy auguries in the news and many practical initiatives were taken to ensure the trust building between the two countries. Mr. Trump also showed willingness to mediate but Indian refused.
The writer is the faculty member, department of English, Punjab Group of Colleges and a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]