Kashmir: Up and Down

Fruit had become the symbol of peace in the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan last Tuesday because of the re-opening of trade routes through the region, but sadly dismal relations between the countries returned only a week later on Sunday. India and Pakistan re-opened the trade route through Kashmir last Tuesday; it was the first time the route had been used in more than sixty years. The reopening of the route, which runs across the Line of Control that divides the Himalayan region, is one of several "confidence-building measures" agreed on as part of a peace pact made by the two nuclear-armed neighbors in 2004.

The reopening of the route through Kashmir is especially potent. Kashmir, which both countries rule in part but claim in full, constitutes the core of the disagreement between India and Pakistan sparking three wars since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. Kashmir has a Muslim majority closely tied with Pakistan but a Hindu ruling elite remaining loyal to India.

The timing of the road's reopening heightens its significance due to months of growing antagonism between India and Pakistan. Unfortunately, the measure didn't prove compelling enough to convince either side to fully commit to peace. Just five days after trade routes opened and peace seemed a viable outcome for Kashmir, Indian soldiers shot dead five members of Kashmir's largest militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, during an overnight gun battle Sunday.

The progress and hope made possible by the trade route was quickly overshadowed by hasty Indian military action. The depth and range of the Kashmir Conflict is so great, India cannot wholeheartedly commit to righting the situation. India is currently deploying thousands of troops to its area of Kashmir to stop protests on the 61st anniversary of Indian rule as a result of the militant group member’s deaths.

While the rest of India is commended on the success of their democratic government, both Pakistani and Indian Kashmir areas of control are subject to foreign rule. Outside ruling countries originally fueled the conflict through foreign actors like extreme Pakistani Islamists and the Indian Military, but recent uproar has been attributed to Kashmiri citizens, Muslim and Hindi.

There is a deep sense of alienation in the Kashmir Valley due mainly to Indian misrule and mistreatment of the Kashmiri people. Indian remains steadfast in their attempt to retain control of the region and refuses to consider Kashmiri self rule. Pakistan is far more open to Kashmiri self-rule.

What remains problematic for Indian ruled areas of Kashmir is what will become of the minority Hindi population in the region. At present, Hindi rulers are able to buffer conflicts between the Muslim and Hindi citizenry. This constitutes a stumbling block for India in considering Kashmiri self rule. But by not considering self-rule, further division amongst the Kashmir valley is likely to ensue.

It is time for India to rethink its Kashmir policy and actively examine, rather than ignore, options leading to peace in the area, including the demilitarization of the Valley. This is necessary not only for overall peace and progress in the region but under the current circumstances, also to nip communal anger in the bud.

As protests die down in the region and the anniversary of Indian Rule concludes, fruit will regain the main stage in Kashmir. The two countries will recognize the significance of the trade routes and the people of Kashmir will look to the future of their state and not dwell on the past of Indian rule. The Kashmiri conflict has been overlooked by too many for too long. Snippets of issues need to become complete details to garner more support for peace in the Kashmir Valley.