Dr.Sudershan Kumar
Time and again voices in favour for dialogue on Kashmir issue have been raised by various proponents of dialogue. But Modi Government’s and our foregin minister’s strong message and precondition for dialogue is a befitting reply to these voices. Moreover, the govt’s assertiveness and multi prong strategy for handling turmoil in Kashmir valley, which had erupted after the killing of dreaded terrorist Burhan Wani ,a local militant and area commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) has rightfully refuted any possibility of dialogue with any side until peace restoration. Further, demonetization and NIA raids in the valley vindicates their stand on peace restoration and dialogue. The incidences of stone pelting have decreased consequently. This has been confirmed by none other than Shri Raj Nath Singh, the Union Home Minister. Also, Defence Minister Shri Arun jaitely’s recent statement restating that the Government will clean valley from militants, reflects the strong vigour and decisive approach of the government in pursuing peace restoration in Kashmir Valley. At the moment when the morale of militants and their over ground supporters is sagging and anti national forces are on the run, the statements issued by political leaders from Kashmir valley pressing for dialogue with stake holders from Kashmir has little relevance and full of risks like jeopardizing the actions taken so far and impede the morale of the troops. In the present scenario, it echoes a wrong message to security agencies who are at a commanding position vis a vis terrorists. Therefore, before vouching for a dialogue with stake holders in Jammu and Kashmir, one must define who are the stake holders? Are they only from Kashmir Valley. What about the stake holders from Jammu and Ladakh regions as it is a well known fact these two divisions represent nearly 86% of the total area of Jammu and Kashmir state and also around 46% of the total population of the state. What is their agenda for dialogue? This has to be decided internally by constituting a task force having equal representative from all the three regions. It is heartening to note that even the people who are in Government are also advocating for a dialogue with Pakistan, when the whole world acknowledges that the present turmoil in the valley is fuelled by Pakistan by sponsoring terrorism.Moreover the attitude of Pakistan is not in conformity with international laws.Pakistan is all ways working against India.It is a rogue state,terror state and hub of terrorism.The real problem in the valley is radicalization and terrorism. Therefore, the need of the hour is to reach out to the innocent kashmiri parents, youth and persuade them to shun the violence and join the main stream and remove the false illusion from their minds about “AZADI”. If they have any grievances, these can be addressed within the frame work of the Indian constitution. Hence there is no scope of dialogue.
Besides, politicians who are advocating for initiating a dialogue with Pakistan need to understand the intentions of Pakistan and should put to hold these irresponsible statements. In fact , Pakistan has only one point agenda of plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, least realizing that it is well known within the country and at the international arena that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir was settled seven decades back, when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession on 26th October 1947. This was as per clause accepted by the then leaders of India and Pakistan for the merger of 562 princely states with either of the two. Besides,Pakistan’s subsequent actions of illegally occupying some parts of Jammu and Kashmir divisions, presently known as Pakistan occupied Kashmir(POK) along with Gilgit Baltistan and gifting of Shaksagam valley to China in 1963 as per Sino-Pak agreement represents the nefarious intentions of it. Pakistan has been formed on the basis of religion suffused with communal hatred thereby making it inopportune and unfavourable for dialogue.Thus the very ideology of Pakistan makes it incompatible and incongruous for any kind of talks. To further understand the ideology of Pakistan, one must turn the pages of history to the partition in 1947. After the formation of Pakistan, its leadership faced serious existential crisis and communalism was to become the dogma. Most of the people who had voted for Muslim league motion in 1946 did so without understanding what Pakistan would be? Therefore, immediately after partition the communal violence broke out. When Jinnah saw this, he tried to contain this through his speech, which he delivered before 11th August, 1947. His words were “you are free-free to go to temples; you are free to go to mosques or any other place.” You may belong to any religion caste or creed but this has nothing to do with business of state”. But unfortunately when it came to Islamic doctrine in Pakistan’s constitution, Jinnah turned away from his earlier speech but unfortunately Jinnah died within one year of Pakistan’s independence leaving the country’s vision in bewilderment. Ultimately, radical religious sentiments propagated and prevailed pushing Pakistan into Islamic ideology with anti India feelings. This has been carried out over decades and there can be no place for dialogue in view of this. In pursuance of this ideology, there have been three wars with India emerging victorious every time. Subsequently, they adopted the policy laid down by Z.A.Bhutto to in 1980 to bleed India with 1000 cuts and waged proxy war by fermenting trouble in Kashmir valley. This has been going on for the last three decades. Despite this, the successive governments in India took lot of initiatives to have dialogue with Pakistan and resolve all the issues. They signed Tashkent agreement(1966), Shimla agreement(1972) Agra summit (2001) Lahore bus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief halt at Lahore (2015) but in return they were back stabbed in the form of Kargil conflict, Attack on Parliament, Attack in Mumbai, beheading of Indian soldiers at Line of control(LOC), attack on Pathankot airbase and attack at army camp at Uri (Jammu & Kashmir state) and many others.
Besides,the indirect support from China and after it’s nuclear test in 1999, has pushed Pakistan in a state of false illusion of superiority over India. Their leaders are often making irresponsible statements threatening India without realizing that they themselves will get wiped out from the world map in the event of war. It is imperative that the leadership in Pakistan reworks its strategy for normalisation its relation with India and to create a conducive environment for talks. This should be visible on ground. Otherwise, in this present environment, the strategy of the Central Government to make the rogue neighbour realize his position in the international arena stands acquitted. The government’s steps in this direction are justified like India has been able to expose Pakistan’s role in breeding terrorists and creating terror heavens. Donald Trump’s warning to Pakistan to curtail terrorism is a further jump. Even two muslim nations ,Qatar and Kuwait have put restrictions on Pakistan citizens’ entry to their countries meanwhile Qatar has allowed visa free entry to 80 other countries. Secondly, strong posture of India at Indo-China stand off has sent a strong signal not only to Pakistan but to the whole world that India cannot be cowed down by these sorts of tactics. Ultimately Chinese side has agreed status quo and simultaneous withdrawal of troops. The resolution of this could be considered as a major foreign policy victory.
Thirdly, India’ punitive action against the cease fire violations at LOC has further endorsed the will and strong offensive policy of present Indian Government against Pakistan.
Also the recent raids on separatists leaders have totally exposed them also whom many claim to be important for dialogue.
So India’s stand not to initiate dialogue with Pakistan s as suggested by various proponents, till it stops abetting terrorism and closes its terror camps along Line of control is a right step to curtail Pakistan.
Keeping these facts in mind, the author is of the view that the present environment is not conducive for dialogue with Pakistan. The situation is perplexing and if ever then with whom in Pakistan should we go for dialogue. Wether with civilian government which has no say or with the military leadership or with the fundamentalists who run a parallel government through dictates. Moreover it is in the interest of Pakistan to create conditions for dialogue and realize that normalisation of relations with India will be beneficial not only to both the nations but it will bring peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia.
(The author is former Director General DRDO
& Special Secretary MOD GOI)
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