Shaukat Qadir sees the light on Kashmir

Indo-Pak talks making progress? —Shaukat Qadir

Did we make any progress in this period of cricket diplomacy? That appears to be the hot question. While most people would have been circumspect and suggested that the jury would be out a long while on that question, General Pervez Musharraf has declared it an unequivocal success. There is little doubt that no one from the Pakistani side is better placed to comment on the success of his visit.

However, some information is available to citizens on both sides. Having implied it on many an occasion earlier, the Indians have finally stated in no uncertain terms that they are willing to discuss any solution to the Kashmir issue as long as it does not include redrawing boundaries. Many a Pakistani analyst would call this a defeat and claim that Pakistan must never give up its claim on Kashmir, the issue being the ‘unfinished agenda of partition’.

Personally speaking, I have been saying for a number of years now that no Indian government can survive a bargain on Kashmir beyond the Indian Union borders. I have also been stating that the moral high ground was lost on the heights of Kargil. It is unrealistic to expect anything other than the conversion of the LOC into a de facto border. As a matter of fact, since Kargil, a number of Held Kashmir leaders have accepted this reality in private though not in public.

In my view the Indian statement is a victory for diplomacy. It is the first time that the proposition of what is not acceptable to one side has been tabled for consideration. It is also time now for realpolitik to take over. It is time for the Pakistani leadership to decide their strategic objective: is it the territorial annexation of IHK or the security of their waters. The truth is that it is impossible to militarily annex territory defended by a stronger power. Our ‘policy’ — if ever it was a policy — of bleeding India has failed.

The Indians have proven that they can stay the course in a low-intensity conflict in Kashmir. It is time to reassess our options. The mere fact that despite the unambiguous statement of the Indian leadership, our political leaders have not shied away from continuing talks indicates that the reality has finally dawned upon them as well.

I suggest that we make our stand equally unequivocal on Baglihar Dam, Wullar Barrage and the Kishanganga project etc. All issues that could cause strategic damage for us in the long run must be addressed. If we are to compromise on Kashmir, it is perhaps an even more significant moment in history than the partition of India. The fate of our future generations can be settled now.