Kashmir: How can peace be helped along?

Tensions between India and Pakistan seem to be easing over the disputed issue of Kashmir.

India has welcomed Pakistan's announcement of a partial troop withdrawal from the Line of Control. India earlier announced that it would extend its unilateral ceasefire.

President Clinton said India and Pakistan had raised the hopes of the world community that peace was possible in Kashmir.

What should both sides do next? How can this fragile process be helped along?

Kashmir is for Kashmiris

Hassan Shuaib Afzal, Pakistan

Kashmir is for Kashmiris. So, the people of Kashmir must be given their basic right of freedom through a plebiscite, whether they wish to join Pakistan, India or they want a separate homeland for themselves.
Hassan Shuaib Afzal, Pakistan

History teaches us that armed conflict only ends when one side completely overwhelms the other or when neither side has stamina and will to fight any more. Stirred religious fervour on both sides in the form of Hindu nationalism and Islamic fundamentalism does not bode well for the problem of Kashmir. Maybe when no-one there is left standing, then perhaps...
Mirek Kondracki, USA

If you could somehow get rid of religion and politics, that would be a start. As long as there are men in this world there will be killing. Think about it - outside of Nature, 99.9% of the world's problems are cause by men.
Larry Sullivan, USA

It is essentially a Hindu-Muslim problem

Pradeep Sharma, India

It is essentially a Hindu-Muslim problem, not a territorial one nor a legal one, and it has to do with the 'two-nation' theory. One nation or two, Hindus and Muslims need to understand one another much better than they have managed in 1000 years of coexistence in India.
Pradeep Sharma, India

Jinnah had, in his quest for personal power, falsely believed in a two-nation theory and created Pakistan - with now Kashmir caught in between. Once in power his first speech was that all Pakistanis were free to practice their faiths and go to their temples, mosques etc. Pakistan of today is a far cry from his vision - a fundamentalist Islamic state. Somehow Pakistan has to learn to forget about Kashmir and pay more attention to the welfare of the 150 million of their own citizens first - surely their rights are paramount.
Raj, USA/UK

Is it really a problem with Kashmir, or instead, is it a problem with the countries concerned? Kashmir is nothing but a school playground, in a wider battle for supremacy.
Ajay, UK

Peace to Kashmiri people seems distant unless they want it and know where it lies. Leaving aside the emotions if one looks at the future of Kashmir there are limited options. The first option is Kashmir from the Indian and Pakistani side unify and is recognised as independent nation - but will this state be able to defend itself on the economic and security fronts? The second option - the unified Kashmir joins Pakistan - but what is the gain for a common Kahmiri in joining a state whose economy has collapsed, whose political system non-existent, and whose democratically elected leaders are either executed or sent in exile to other countries? The third choice is to remain with India along with other Muslims. In India there are personalities like Fakruddin Ahmed who was a president, artists like M. Rafi, Talat, Shabana, Kaife Aazmi, Dilipkumar, Aamir Khan, Sharukh Khan who got the respect and recognition on their merit and their religion did not get in their way to recognition.
Sameer Deo, India/USA

Forces have never let it get solved

Siraj, Karachi, Pakistan

To the general majority of Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Indians the Kashmir problem has been time and again a pain and a disappointment to us because forces have never let it get solved. Please for once let the leaders be honest and make a fair and final decision on this generation- old problem which is hampering their progress, prosperity and trust and prove to be worthy neighbours of each other. In case they cannot do this, let the Kashmiris together with some randomly selected commoners from Kashmir, Pakistan and India or anywhere else sit down and decide what would be best for them. We have to move forward as by nature we are not as uncaring and irresponsible as this problem has made us.
Siraj, Karachi, Pakistan

It should neither be a part of India nor Pakistan. For even if the Kashmiris do join Pakistan, India and Pakistan may never ever have peaceful relationships (a desire that every countrymen of the respective nation holds). Kashmir should in itself be an independent state. It should have peaceful relationships with both the nations. With its natural riches, it certainly has to be what Dubai is for UAE. Similarly it can be the Dubai of South Asia.
Meryum Durrani, Pakistan

Religion is not a valid reason to let Pakistan take Kashmir with the help of state supported militants. Pakistan should have been a land of tranquillity if that were the case. The whole idea that the Hindu majority does not care for the minorities is also rubbish. The Indian subcontinent is a land where nearly 90% earn less than a dollar a day. It is land of hundreds of minorities. The small group of violent minorities supported by narrow vested interests spiked with religion is not a true representation of the problem or solution. The solution lies in better governance for the masses. Kashmir like some other regions have shown poor governance due to its state leadership. Giving freedom with the barrel of gun is merely an exercise of hiding the real issue of poor governance.

Pakistan rulers certainly have no case to speak for the Kashmiris. India would be failing miserably in its responsibility towards the people of the subcontinent if it allows Pakistani rulers to hijack the issue with terrorist blackmail.
Vinod Dawda, UK

India should continue to keep the issue pending for a few more years. Kashmir has made India bleed to such an extent that the wound will take long to heal. But now from the position we are in we can still afford to bleed for a few more years. This shall force Pakistan, which is fuelling the terrorism in state and is on the verge of total economic bankruptcy and civil chaos, to continue in its Mafioso accelerating its imminent downfall.
Jesal Kapadia, India

Pakistan was created because the Hindu majority of India failed to recognise the rights of minorities in South Asia

Mirza Beg, Pakistan

Pakistan was created because the Hindu majority of India failed to recognise the rights of minorities in South Asia. Kashmir being majority Muslim can never find peace in an India that is run by Hindu fundamentalists. Whereas in Pakistan, there maybe instability in the leadership, at least the people can live free from fear to raise their children.
Mirza Beg, Pakistan

Sanjeev Dhar suggests that Kashmiri Muslims should be converted to Hinduism to solve the Kashmir dispute. This does not come as surprise to anyone. Hindus have been taught this way, they are an intolerant nation of people.
Mukhtar Naqvi, USA

There is total distrust between India and Pakistan. The Indians want to retain Kashmir at all costs against the wishes of the Kashmiri's. Pakistan rightfully claims that Kashmiri's want to be part of Pakistan. Unless there is a free and fair expression of choice given to Kashmir, how can the issue be resolved? There have been too much of bloodshed. The international community must intervene to get the issue resolved.
Sudozai, Pakistan

The conversion of LoC to an International border is the best solution

Vivek Mundhra, India/USA

To: Mark M. Newdick:
It was a British policy of divide-and-rule. Your suggestion for a further division of India, in what you call as a "buffer" state, "Kashmir"; is not any surprise. It would be even more dangerous for the entire world, and not just South Asia, if an Afghanistan becomes of Kashmir.
Independence is justified where there is oppression. And if the Muslims in India feel oppressed then, it would not just be Kashmiri Muslims but 150 million Muslims from India who need freedom from India.
The conversion of LoC to an International border is the best solution.
Vivek Mundhra, India/USA

There can be no peace in Kashmir till the time Indian government becomes more sensitive to the terrorist attacks and augment all its energy in quelling the terrorism. Indian leadership should draw lessons from Israel and take upper hand over the terrorists. Once terrorists and there sympathisers has been eliminated then there will be no problem
Roger Naraian, India/USA

As there is no doubt that the Kashmiris are an ethnically and culturally distinct group, the UN ought to treat the problem with the same urgency as they have done in the Balkans or the Middle East but without the intervention of the U.S. who will care and this dispute will go on an on.
W.Richmond-Pickering,Esq, Jersey

Killing each other is not at all a solution for any problem. Only when people understand this point then only one can get freedom. What I suggest is first concentrate on education of people in Kashmir, so that they will come to know which one right path.
Praveen, India

Only Kashmiri people should be given the opportunity to decide what is good for them

Kazi Sarwar, USA

Only Kashmiri people should be given the opportunity to decide what is good for them. No party should be capitalising on this issue in order to realise their politically ulterior motives.
Kazi Sarwar, USA

Muslims in Kashmir should be converted to Hinduism, things will definitely become better for them, Islam attacks a person's brain and makes terrorists out of wonderful human beings.
Sanjeev Dhar, USA

I think these people are taking the world to medieval times, when people are learning to respect each others rights the Islamic militants are stripping of modernity and imposing unlawful law against women. It is high time the Kashmiris understand about the dark sides of an Islamic nation and see the reality.
Naveen V, India

Pakistan should stop meddling in Kashmir. This is the only way by which peace can be ensured.
Jay, India

No Pakistani leader can survive politically if the Kashmir issue is neglected

Ashish Sogal, USA

Pakistan needs to ferment trouble in Kashmir as a cornerstone of their foreign policy. No Pakistani leader can survive politically if the Kashmir issue is neglected. Furthermore, Kashmir is an excellent source of diversion for a country that is so economically weak and is plagued by its own ethnic unrest. What is disturbing about the Kashmir conflict is the attempt by Pakistan to turn it into a pan-Islamic movement in order to generate donations from wealthy Arabs in the Gulf.
Ashish Sogal, USA

The only sensible solution to Kashmir is to make current LOC as international border. And give more attention to our own development and learn from Indians how to live peacefully and get successful using hi-tech educational resources as they do. We should get their help in our own development instead of fighting with such a great neighbour with such a rich culture which teaches to live peacefully in so multicultural society where people from various religion/caste live together. Lets hope we people learn something from Indians someday. One thing to remember they have more Muslims than in Pakistan and they live happier than here.
Umar Khalid, Pakistan

Some positive moves have been made by both India and Pakistan but the question remains will there be an outcome? At least for the sake of the poor people of Kashmir lets hope there will be some good outcome. There has been some serious efforts going on in the background to derail this peace effort. The common man is starting to see the vested private interest in these attacks. So the so-called messiahs of Kashmiri common mass. Please understand one thing you cannot fool the masses always and forever.The unwelcomed guest can start packing up their bags.
Sayed R G, Kashmir, India

The solution to the Kashmir problem might be a UN sponsored plebiscite. If Kashmiri's want to become a part of India or Pakistan, then that is fine. If they want to become an independent republic, there could be a possibility that the situation there becomes similar to Afghanistan, where the fundamentalist militant groups fight each other and use drugs to buy weapons. India would not want that to happen in a neighbouring country.
Anindya Boral, India

To Omar Ahmed: So, what are you going to do with all that Kashmir Real Estate if you keep it? Invest in the people and land to bring both to the "high" standards enjoyed in ("just-you-wait-for-the-next-coup") Pakistan? Is India going to do that instead? I doubt it! And although we might refer to history for guidance and lessons, it is surely devoid of anything useful when it comes to Kashmir! No, this is all land grabbing for the sake of it, with no thought for the wishes of the people or even the greater good of either India or Pakistan ... surely, by creating a buffer state between the two, the source of contention is removed. A maturer attitude is required instead of the knee-jerk "It's mine" mantra.
Mark M. Newdick, USA/UK

While in a dismal state economically, people will take up any way out of poverty, be it terrorism, or a hope of new nation where you can decide on your own destiny

Suchin Gupta, US

The problem with Kashmir is an economic one. While in a dismal state economically, people will take up any way out of poverty, be it terrorism, or a hope of new nation where you can decide on your own destiny. India should abandon foolish policy of not letting business and industry flourish in this beautiful region. Economic prosperity will deter any separatist from talking about the foolish idea of joining an unstable country like Pakistan.
Suchin Gupta, US

During the last 50+ years of independence, Pakistan has less than 20 years of freedom, as most of these years are ruled by Pakistan dictators. I am wondering, what type of freedom Kashmiris can achieve, if someone is demanding to merge Kashmir with Pakistan?
Venkat, USA

I think a reasonable and workable solution would be granting autonomy to people on both sides of Kashmir and the existing LOC be made international border, allowing free movement of people on either side of the border.
Venkat, India/USA

The recent development can be viewed optimistically but a positive outcome is only possible if all the three parties in this conflict discuss these problems seriously

Asif Mehmood, Kashmiri, Kashmir/USA

India must be positive in her approach and start a series of dialogues with all the parties who are affected. The recent development can be viewed optimistically but a positive outcome is only possible if all the three parties in this conflict discuss these problems seriously. If these three parties can't start a dialogue soon then those who're already against this move will win the hearts of the people and militancy will never have an end. I, being a Kashmiri, can well understand the ordeal: Families are divided across the line of control, people are homeless, schools are closed, no livelihood, and lack of food and severity of weather enhance their problems. Those who are living on the line of control do so in danger to their lives because of the nonsense firing between Indian and Pakistani forces.
Asif Mehmood, Kashmiri, Kashmir/USA

Maybe peace in Kashmir would be easier to achieve if India accepted Pakistani control of the Pakistani controlled part of Kashmir, and renounced its claim to that area while Pakistan does the same for the Indian controlled portion. Also, as an overseas Kashmiri, I feel a need for all of us to get our priorities straight in emphasizing the necessity of a good economy, environment and social conditions before fighting for a separate state.
Suhail Shafi, Malta

India is trying to blackmail the Kashmiris by linking the Kashmiri freedom struggle with the future of the 150 million Indian Muslims

Fahim Raja, United Arab Emirates

The Kashmir dispute will be solved the day Indians understand the genesis of the Kashmir tradegy and stop preaching on secularism, democracy, human rights and fundamentalism. Kashmiris have over the years seen their democratic rights denied, human rights crushed and are well aware of the communal face of the Indian establishment. India is trying to blackmail the Kashmiris by linking the Kashmiri freedom struggle with the future of the 150 million Indian Muslims, though the two have had no political connections since 1947. Fundementalism, lack of democracy or the weak economy of Pakistan is no reason for the Kashmiris to give up their right of self-determination.
Fahim Raja, United Arab Emirates

Settling the Kashmir problem won't necessarily pave way for amicable relations between Pakistan and India. The truth is that Pakistani rulers will invent other issues to whip up anti-India frenzy to gain power. Thus India-Pak relations should not be mixed with Kashmir. Once all Pak backed terrorists are eliminated, then a dialogue between Kashmiri leaders and India can start, with Kashmir becoming autonomous or independent always being one option. It is a problem between Kashmiris and India. Pakistan tries to woo Kashmiris hoping to make it another of their mismanaged provinces. But they will never succeed.
Amar Upadhyay, India

I believe that neither India nor Pakistan can solve this 53 year old issue by themselves, what needs to be done is get the United Nations or the international community involved and get things done. Pakistan has no problem accepting this condition, in fact Pakistan has several times invited the international community to mediate between the two countries, it's the Indian government which has a problem accepting this condition. What the Indian government wants to do is solve the Kashmir issue without having any kind of negotiations with the Pakistanis and the Azad Kashmiris, which shows how serious the Indians are about the whole Kashmir issue.
Zulfiqar Ali, Pakistan/U.S.A.

Those Kashmirs who want to merge with Pakistan can walk across the border and go to Pakistan. Those Kashmirs who want independence can pray to God. Kashmir is and will remain an integral part of India. If somebody challenges the legal accession of Kashmir to India, then they are basically challenging the existence of Pakistan, as all this was result of the two nation theory.
Manish, USA

A problem can only be solved if both parties accept the fact that there is a problem

Naveed Mushtaq Kahn, Pakistan

The next step should be taken by India by accepting Kashmir as disputed. A problem can only be solved if both parties accept the fact that there is a problem. Next a third non-party country should be invited as an arbitrator.
Naveed Mushtaq Kahn, Pakistan

For outsiders to suggest that India and Pakistan should grant Kashmir freedom is wrong, because if one region is let out, there will be numerous regions seeking independence. Since South Asia is multicultural, and shares a common history and socio-economic class, granting Kashmir freedom is impossible for either India or Pakistan. The only path to peace is this:
1. Pakistan shun all violence and shut down all terrorist camps on her territory
2. India and Pakistan start from scratch viewing economic and cultural benefits if the line of actual control is transformed into the international border.
3. Pakistan move away from China's sphere of interest, and form a strategic alliance with India.
4. Pakistan create a political system that will have the military general as the President and a civil prime minister, thus giving representation to both power blocks.
5. Pakistan shift from being an Islamic state to a secular state.
6. After these steps are taken, India, Iran and Pakistan sign an agreement to construct the gas pipeline through Pakistan.
7. India and Pakistan set up a joint army command, which will allow India to keep expansionist Beijing in check, while at the same time, Pakistan will not have to worry as it will be involved in decision making.
Siddharth Raina, USA / India

Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris and they should be given chance of self determination

Salauddin Ahmed, Canada

The world should recognise the fact that Kashmir is not the property of Hindus or Pakistanis. Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris and they should be given chance of self determination, and if the UN still maintains its dignity it should see that its own resolution should be implemented. This long suffering, killing or innocent women and children and destruction would have not happened if British had not got away from India leaving this thorny issue in dispute deliberately.
Salauddin Ahmed, Canada

Whenever I read comments from Pakistani friends, I get the impression as if Kashmiris are fighting not for their independence but for Islam. If you really want the support of the international community, you should not mix up the Kashmiri people's legitimate demand of independence with Islamic fundamentalism. The world is already horrified by the true picture of Islam in Afghanistan and nobody wants one more Muslim State in South Asia. So, yes to the freedom of choice of the Kasmiri people and no to the creation of an Islamic country!
Samyak , Nepal

People have the right to decide their fate. It should be the privilege of Kashmiris living in Kashmir to decide what they want. Hence, I feel an internationally monitored referendum should be held in J&K to decide on the future course of action. India had nearly 50 years to win the hearts of Kashmiris. If it has not been able to generate any positive feelings in Kashmiris then it does not have the authority to keep it within its fold.
Kavitha, India

The question here is not whether it is India or Pakistan who gain from the peaceful end to Kashmir problem. The question is how well can they withstand the attempts by various powers to sabotage this peace process given the benefit they derive by the constant bickering between India and Pakistan. It is for the leadership in these two countries to show maturity, pragmatism to realize the importance of focussing on peace rather than getting diverted by irritants.
Kiran, USA

A reunification of India and Pakistan seems to be the only permanent peaceful solution in the long-run

Mahesh Srinivasan, UK

The question of self-determination for Kashmiris should be ruled out as it could lead to disintegration of India and even worse, a civil war between Hindus and Muslims. A reunification of India and Pakistan seems to be the only permanent peaceful solution in the long-run.
Mahesh Srinivasan, UK

Have you noticed the size of some of the comments written by supposedly "well informed" individuals? The resolution is simple: let the Kashmiris decide their own fate. Go with Pakistan? Go with India? or independence from both? It is simple as that. Anyone's suggestion that it is a complex problem is only massaging their own ego.
Saleem, UK

This mail is regarding the earlier mail that suggests that India and Pakistan should be merged into one state and be called "Hindustan", or should I say The land of the Hindus? As is obvious by the name that Muslims just cannot agree to such a ridiculous hypocritical name.
Syed Zia, USA

However painful the division of a region be, India and Pakistan should convert the Line of Control into a permanent international border

RS, USA/India

However painful the division of a region be, India and Pakistan should convert the Line of Control into a permanent international border. Give the people on both sides of the LOC a choice of nationality and then seal the border. This is the only plausible solution left if peace were to return on either side of LOC.
RS, USA/India

Some Westerners seem to have the misconception that independence of Kashmir was an accepted alternative. It never was. Neither in the UN resolution, nor in the British-Congress-Muslim League tripartite talks. All provinces and princely states had to join either one of the two nations. It is a bilateral dispute between the two nations. Because of the prevailing violent religious riots in India, a Kashmir vote had been deferred. Pakistan broke the agreement by invading Kashmir in 1948. Maharaja Hari Singh, the legitimate ruler of Kashmir, agreed to acede to India, as a pre-condition to Indian military support. This legitimizes India's presence in Kashmir. Still India agreed to a plebiscite on the condition that all parties withdraw their troops. Pakistan refused to do so and fifty years later, conditions have changed and the UN resolution is meaningless.
Ken Bhandary, USA

History cannot be undone. What we have to do now is to look to the future - whether we can provide peace and security to the Kashmiri children, or continue to drown the valley in mindless violence that has been the bane of a major part of the civil population for over a decade. We need well intentioned individuals who have the true interests of Kashmir, India and Pakistan at heart, to sit down and arrive at a consensus for the best solution under the circumstances. The common Kashmiri must be allowed to speak - whether he is for peace or for violence and destruction. If the Kashmiris are actually fighting for independence, what are people from Sudan, Afghanistan and the Arabian countries doing in their midst ?
Suprabha Ray, Indian in Los Angeles, USA

As long as the people are poor and uneducated, there cannot be peace

AK, India

Ideally, I would hope the people of Pakistan and India would unite. But that is possible only if the people of both countries are properly educated. Let both India and Pakistan pull out of Kashmir completely. Let the UN (which is a farce in itself, but that is a different story) come in. After a while, after normalcy is restored, let the people of Kashmir choose whether they want to be an independent country, be a part of India, or be a part of Pakistan. But then, it would put the militant groups out of business wouldn't it? And that might be something they wouldn't like at all. I am afraid that even if Kashmir were to become independent, these militant groups will continue to fight amongst themselves for control and unrest would continue. As long as the people are poor and uneducated, there cannot be peace.
AK, India

Pak and India have always been arms dumping ground for the West, if this issue is settled, their will be a heavy recession in the armament industry! So why take a risk in sorting this issue out. Politicians and military 'rulers' in India and Pakistan unite under their own respective flags only on one issue, blackening each others face - so, again, why resolve this issue and tear their rare unity? For the media this is a real breadwinner, so why snatch their bread? For the ordinary man ... he has always been a fool. Let him be. So let the fighting go on!
George, USA

The accession of Kashmir into India is legal. In fact, it is probably more legal than how Texas was taken by the US from Mexico. And I don't think there is anybody who disputes Texas as being part of the US.
Srinivas, India

Why are we fighting a barren land and spending 40% of our GDP? Let India take it and be happy.
Ali Khan, Pakistan

The first and foremost step in the process of peace in Kashmir region needs the whole world to get acquainted with the aims and objectives of the Kashmiris' desire and deserve on the context. Before starting the peace process talks between Pakistan and India it must be confirmed that there is total peace and harmony within the Kashmir region well maintained under the supervision of UNO . While starting the negotiation there must be special attention given to the human rights and legal rights of the Kashmiris. Otherwise, any agreement between Pakistan and India would be meaningless and just a waste of time for these two nations. It would also have a discouraging negative effect on the positive hope of the Kashmiris.
A.R.Shams, Pakistan

The best contribution the world community can make towards peace and harmony in Kashmir is benign neglect that means: stay out

Narinder Dogra, US

I am originally from Jammu & Kashmir where I was raised. The people of J&K got more education and achieved more prosperity as compared to people of Pakistan and Pakistani occupied J&K since the departure of the British. Nothing stopped people from crossing over from Pakistani occupied portion to Jammu & Kashmir and vice versa till the 1965 war. Everyone got along well. The core issue here is the obsession haunting the Pakistani army generals who are under the illusion that J&K is eventually going to merge with Pakistan. No one in his right mind wants to be part of Pakistan especially in the current prevailing political and social environment in Pakistan. With time the living conditions in Pakistan are going to get worse, thanks to Pakistani army. The best contribution the world community can make towards peace and harmony in Kashmir is benign neglect that means: stay out. India is quite capable of handling Pakistan peacefully or otherwise.
Narinder Dogra, US

What are we to decide. Let them decide for themselves: let them vote.
Tamim Khawaja, Finland

In the long-winded and often arrogant polemics that mark this debate, very few people have time for the Kashmiris themselves.
Adam Nayyar, Pakistan/USA

The core issue is the ideology behind the formation of the two countries

Sourav Dasgupta, USA / India

The core issue between India and Pakistan is not Kashmir. The core issue is the ideology behind the formation of the two countries. Pakistan has been formed on the ideology that Muslims are a separate nation and they cannot share power with the Hindus and other religious communities. A direct fallout of the Pakistani ideology is that India should become a Hindu Rashtra (Nation). India was formed on the ideology that despite the differences between the Hindus, Muslims and other communities, everyone can live together and share power. So whether Kashmir becomes part of India, or becomes part of Pakistan or becomes independent or is divided up - the core issue is not going to be solved. The core issue will only be solved when one of two mutually conflicting ideologies wins - one that considers all men equal and respects every faith (e.g. secularism) and the other that doesn't believe that all men are equal (e.g. religious and ethnic fundamentalism and intolerance). I would like to put my bets on Secularism. Hopefully Pakistan, India and the rest of the nations will become true secular countries, where people are not given special rights or persecuted because of their religious beliefs. Only then there will be peace.
Sourav Dasgupta, USA / India

We have to agree on a solution which both parties agreed to under the United Nation Charter, a resulotion of a plebiscite for Kashmir. India, claiming to be the biggest democracy and a secular country, yet avoiding the democratic and social right to have the opinion of the people living in any part of its territory. The United Nations, United States and all the world should stand behind the already ill fated people of Kashmir for a fair, unbiased and unconditional plebiscite on the Kashmir.
Daniyal, USA

The best thing for the both sides to do is not to do anything

Kumar, USA/India

What will happen to both the countries if they continue to fight over Kashmir for another 10 years? India's economy may support its military expenditure, still it won't develop much. Pakistan's economy can't support for too long and since its dependence of foreign funds will increase, it would be compelled to withdraw its claims on Kashmir. Time or silence can be a good solution. Just forget Kashmir and focus on other things. The best thing for the both sides to do is not to do anything.
Kumar, USA/India

India must withdraw its troops from Kashmir and let the people of Kashmir decide what they want: Pakistan, India or an independent Kashmir.
Major Timotheus Nasir, Pakistan

I feel for the Kashmiri people and hope Mr. Vajpayee and Gen. Musharraf can seize this moment in history to make a real difference and get rid of this enormous mistrust

Sundeep Maini, Marshfield, US

It may be tempting to have a harsh opinion about India (if you're a Pakistani) or Pakistan (if you are an Indian) but honestly do we like what we see in our own countries? Wouldn't we want our countries to have the prosperity, convenience and freedom of a US? When we quote wars (between the two countries) and other incidences from history, can we honestly say with any conviction that we know anything for a fact? Don't we know the utter lack of transparency in our two countries for a fact? When Indians and Pakistanis meet in other countries they strike an immediate accord. We have movies and plays and for north Indians a common language and culture to share. You can hardly tell us apart. How does such cultural similarity add up to antipathy in our own countries? Pakistan is not a nation of fundamentalists nor is India a religious hegemony of Hindus in the garb of secularism. Populations in both countries have been fed propaganda and misinformation by vested interests in power who have taken it upon themselves to decide what the rest of their countries needs to know. Once we are honest with ourselves we won't have to convince Kashmiries to stay within India. They will choose prosperity, freedom and secularism over the religious jingoism and each individual Kasmiri will make that choice for themselves and their family. I feel for the Kashmiri people and hope Mr. Vajpayee and Gen. Musharraf can seize this moment in history to make a real difference and get rid of this enormous mistrust. India/Pakistan may lose Kashmir but they also have a chance of finding each other anew.
Sundeep Maini, Marshfield, US

Perhaps the only way to bring about a long term solution to Kashmir is to return to democratic government in Pakistan, and then to ensure that democracy prevails in that country without the constant interference of the armed forces. Whenever democratic governments in Pakistan have come near to a solution over Kashmir with India, the army has stepped in on one excuse or the other with the support of fundamentalist Islamic forces. The people of Pakistan need to see for themselves that the so-called two nation theory in South Asia was a non starter when millions of Muslims stayed behind in India after 1947, and the theory suffered a further blow when Bangladesh became an independent state in 1971. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the other states of South Asia must co-exist under secular and democratic governance if they are to develop politically and economically in the future. It is within this context that the people of Kashmir will work out for themselves their long term future. Any divisions along purely religious lines are likely to create further instability and division.
Ahsan Ahmed, Bangladesh

"You fool me once, shame on you; you fool me twice, shame on me". Pakistan's ceasefire is nothing but a smokescreen for another dirty trick up its sleeve and the Indian government would be extremely foolish and naive if it were to fall into that trap and withdraw its troops from the borders. India should continue its fight against the terrorists and its sponsor Pakistan and in fact, should expand the fighting to outside Kashmir. India should not relent until Pakistan has stopped supporting terrorism unconditionally. Any talks with Pakistan at this stage does not bode well for the world in general because it will send two wrong messages i.e. terrorism works and religious fundamentalism has a future in this world.
Ken Bhandary, USA

Kashmir will never be independent as geopolitics will not allow that to happen

Himmat, India/Hongkong

The realistic outlook is that the violence in Kashmir will continue with varying degrees till either of the two things happen:
1. The Line of Control is made into the permanent border and India and Pakistan revoke all claims to the other parts.
2. The disintegration, and finally assimilation of Pakistan into a larger Indian Federation. This will of course be after a lot of internal power struggles in Pakistan and seems to be the more likely outcome, given the present scenario in Pakistan. The first option could however be possible if Pakistan returns to democracy before it is overrun by Islamic fundamentalists and manages to turn the economy around. There is no other solution - Kashmir will never be independent as geopolitics will not allow that to happen.
Himmat, India/Hongkong

The gesture India is showing should not be taken as a weakness. It is rightly said by one of the militant leaders that it is now or never. Kashmir cannot and will not get separated from India. The amount of blood invested by Pakistanis in Kashmir is less compared to the sentiments India attaches with Kashmir.
Rama Rao, India/USA

Topography is the key: the only all-weather routes out of Kashmir are Srinagar-Rawalpindi and Sialkot-Jammu. Open the borders and let commerce roll regardless of political decisions.
Adam Nayyar, Pakistan/USA

The world should understand that unless the nexus between the drug barons in the developing world and the arms suppliers in the developed world is broken there cannot be a peaceful settlement to any of the existing problems today. The main problem is that the developed world supports such armed struggles because of the income generated for them. They do not understand that the money is actually procured through the supply and sale of narcotics in the developed world by drug barons in the developing world. The people in the developing world should understand that no settlement can be reached but through a dialogue between the fractions. The developed world should understand that in its fight against drugs it should first put an end to the illegal supply of arms.
Ryan, India

It was a mistake for the international community not to have put pressure on these parties to reach peace fifty years ago

Frank Rosenblum, USA

Looking from an outside point of view, it seems that at the time of the original UN resolutions in 1949, they were accepted by all the three principal parties namely, India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiris. I think it was a mistake for the international community not to have put pressure on these parties to reach peace fifty years ago because this would have prevented the situation from reaching boiling point. It's rubbish when Indians say that if they would consider independence for Kashmir, it would set a precedent for other Indian states to seek independence as Kashmir has never been an "Indian" state to begin with. For Pakistan's part, since it says that it wants to abide by the UN resolutions, it should withdraw its forces from its portion of Kashmir and invite an international force to fill the vacuum. This would put pressure on India to do the same. As a result, the multi-national force would also move into the Indian Kashmiri portion thus creating a climate for a plebiscite (with an additional clause for independence) to be held according to the UN resolutions and solving the conflict. This should have been done fifty years ago but better late than never!
Frank Rosenblum, USA

The next step has got to be the implementation of all the UN resolutions regarding Kashmir and this requires a plebiscite for the people to decide. However India will never countenance this since it is clear that the Kashmiris will never choose to stay in India. Most Indian apologists always state that the plebiscite is conditional upon both parties withdrawing their forces from the respective areas of Kashmir under their control. Let Pakistan call India's bluff and withdraw completely from Azad Kashmir, everyone knows that there will not be any revolution there, but India cannot countenance withdrawing its 700,000 troops which are essential for keeping the local population suppressed.
Dr Adnan Siddiqui, UK

The rulers of Kashmir have signed the instrument of annexation to India. Thus, in all aspects Kashmir became a part of India. Breaking this kind of promise often has consequences.
Rupesh Jain, India

Both countries, especially India, and the Kashmiri leadership should get the UN actively involved in resolving this issue. This will show their sincerity to end this conflict. Plus at this point, the UN must do something extra-ordinary to bring the two sides to the negotiating table before, not after, any war breaks between the two.
Hammad, Pakistan/USA

If India and Pakistan were like the USA and Canada how much would both countries have progressed?

Jay Patwa, USA

Give true Information to the people of India and Pakistan on how many lives have been lost and how much money has been spent by both countries in 53 years of war and hostility. How much opportunity wasted. If India and Pakistan were like the USA and Canada how much would both countries have progressed? Kashmir is complicated problem which is not going to be solved overnight. Leave it on the shelf for the time being and work for our people and their prosperity.
Jay Patwa, USA

The very day the west and those who support/supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue stay away from Pakistan, the Kashmir problem will be solved.
Renuk, India

Like with any conflict in the world there will be no solution as long as the people there cannot accept the possibility of a peaceful solution. Such a solution cannot be imposed as sooner or later one of the parties will feel that they were forced to take a bad position and the problems will start again. Until there's the political will among all sides to get some sort of compromise there will be no solution.
Dave, UK

If Kashmir goes independent or joins Pakistan, what will happen to India's 120 million Moslems?

Sanjay Khosla, United Kingdom

So many Kashmiris who speak about the so-called Indian repression in Kashmir are in fact from the Pakistan side of the state. Do you honestly think they will say anything in favour of India ? Indian Kashmir has a different culture and tradition to Pakistani Kashmir. If Kashmir goes independent or joins Pakistan, what will happen to India's 120 million Moslems? India cannot ill-afford to be divided again on the basis of religion.
Sanjay Khosla, United Kingdom

Who is serious in bringing peace to the disputed region of Kashmir is self-evident by the acts of both the governments. Where on one side Pakistan says to have talks anywhere with anyone, India puts forward conditions that can never be met or even measured objectively. Pakistan is ready to accept any other country or international body as a mediator, India says no to anybody else. Pakistan is ready to solve the issue based on UN resolutions but India just wants to prolong it with the false hopes that time might end it. I know some say that Pakistan supports the freedom fighters or has a part in cross border infiltration of mercenaries. The answer is simple: Pakistan is a party in that dispute and can not be just kept aside waiting for the India's will to resolve the issue.
Tahir Hameed, USA

India has more Muslims than Pakistan. India is a secular country, Pakistan is an Islamic state. For the hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims staying with India is the best option. If Kashmir gains independence or joins Pakistan the non-Muslims are going to lose, and so will many Kashmiri Muslims.
Vikas, India/USA

What is needed is that Kashmir should be made part of Pakistan and then the two countries should be combined as two states (India and Pakistan) of Hindustan (the nation) as it was prior to partition. The government should consist of one President, elected by the majority vote of the combined population of the two states or the nation Hindustan, and two Prime Ministers elected by the majority party in the lower and upper house. The ministry of defense, foreign affairs, police and treasury should be part of the presidency and the rest is left to the two states' prime ministers. Although the president should appoint judges, the judiciary should be independent. After putting everything in place the nation (Hindustan) should be given the veto power in the UN Security Council because of its nuclear status. This will stop all kinds of bickering between Hindu and Muslim populations and they can live next to each other in their own preferred state peacefully. Additionally, this step will also help bring peace in the region and the world as a whole.
Nadeem Saqib, USA

Think about the region of 1.4 billion people without extravagant military spending and instability ... within a few decades it will become the economic powerhouse of the world

Abdul Rahim, Canada

Kashmir is the core issue in South Asia and Kashmiris are at the core of this issue. India, Pakistan, and the rest of the world has promised to provide Kashmiris the right to self-determination. Justice demands this promise to be fulfilled. This is the only solution to this problem. And, imagine fruits a just solution of Kashmir would bring to all South Asians. South Asians are a very important part of economies from the Far East to North America. But they are unable do any good to their own region. Think about the region of 1.4 billion people without extravagant military spending and instability ... within a few decades it will become the economic powerhouse of the world.
Abdul Rahim, Canada

Kashmir is the only hope for moderate Hindus in India. If Kashmir goes out of the union because it is a majority Muslim state, so does secularism. How is that Hindus should be secular and not Muslims?
Rags, India

India should negotiate with the indigenous Kashmiris on a solution based on maximum autonomy with in the Indian federation

Thiruvengadam Ramakrishnan, US

A plebiscite in 1950 would have gone overwhelmingly in India's favor. Many blunders by federal politicians from Nehru to Rao, the inner squabbles of the Nehru-Abdullah families, dismissal of elected governments, vote rigging and attempt at a military solution to a delicate ethnic-political problem undermined India's legitimacy among the Muslims of the valley. An increasingly Talibanized Pakistan threw in to the conflict non-Kashmiri pan-Islamic fighters of Ben Laden. Like Nixon and De Gaulle towards China and Algeria, the Hindu nationalist BJP government was poised to make the painful compromises towards Kashmir and Pakistan. But the military-Jehadi Complex sabotaged the process. What are India's options? India should negotiate with the indigenous Kashmiris on a solution based on maximum autonomy with in the Indian federation. If it fails, India should bow to the demands of the Hindu-majority Jammu and Buddhist-majority Ladakh for integration with India. The Muslim-majority Kashmir valley must be allowed to decide its own destiny - independence or integration with Pakistan. The Hindu Pundits who have been expelled by the foreign Jehadi fighters should be provided a small, secure haven in the valley, affiliated to India.
Thiruvengadam Ramakrishnan, US

The peace initiative in Kashmir can be helped along by turning the whole of Kashmir into one huge demilitarised zone, or better still, international territory. This would eliminate the India/Pakistan quibbling over Kashmir. So, in preference to apportioning Kashmir, I strongly recommend the UN being entrusted with the caretakership over Kashmir.
Peter Bolton, UK in US

What can be the best solution to the future of an overwhelmingly Muslim disputed region? Definitely not to become a minority by merging with a country that has a history of persecuting its minorities, razing their places of worship, that frequently breaks into communal riots. Definitely not to merge with a country whose military has been violating human rights to them, on their own land. The solution to Kashmir can not be to merge with their natural enemy. Had Kashmir been an "integral part", it would still have to be separated.
Amjad Ali-Khan, USA/Indian

This issue concerns us Sikhs as well because Punjab is the Sikh homeland which was split in half by the British partition in Pakistan and India. Kashmir needs independence and so does Punjab (Khalistan). Until then their will be no peace.
Raj Singh, UK, England

The Kashmir problem will be solved when India, the strongest military power of the region, is ready to do so

Alvipervaiz, USA

The Kashmir problem will be solved when India, the strongest military power of the region, is ready to do so. The present day Union of Indian States can not be a Hindu country and at the same time have non-Hindu states in the Union. India either peacefully and amicably chooses to be a loose confederation of Indian states where each state is left alone to conduct its affairs according to its own cultural and religious background or it will further bifurcate into many countries. There is very little in common between the people of Kashmir and Tamil Nadu, or between the people of Gujarat and Assam.
Alvipervaiz, USA

If everyone involved decides to put down their arms, Kashmir can once again become a "paradise on earth" as it was once quoted to be

Paawan, USA/India

Everyone needs to decide whether they want to live in the past or for the future. The Kashmiri separatists should not carry on their fight just because so many sacrifices have already been made by them. India and Pakistan should move past the 3 wars they have already fought. The only solution going forward is to respect the Line of Control as an international border. If their fight is based on religion, then the separatists should remember India has more Muslims than Pakistan. If it's based on culture then Kashmir is as much a part of India as is Assam or Tamil Nadu. The very essence of India is that it holds together people from various cultures, languages and religions. People who feel India does not have legitimate claim on Kashmir should realise that neither does Pakistan. Would it be fair to ask the Kashmiri Hindus to leave the valley? If everyone involved decides to put down their arms, Kashmir can once again become a "paradise on earth" as it was once quoted to be.
Paawan, USA/India

There are no easy answers to the issue

Ashish Kelka, USA

This so called cease-fire by India and withdrawal of troops by Pakistan, is just a farce on both sides. The harsh winter months have typically been lull times for any kind of insurgency. Come spring the violence will resume and both sides will try and claim that their peace initiatives were thwarted by the other. There are no easy answers to the issue. Neither India nor Pakistan will ever agree to an independent Kashmir, nor will either side ever give up their claim to Kashmir. So the best alternative is to declare the current Line of Control as a international border and both India and Pakistan give up claims to each other's "occupied Kashmir".
Ashish Kelka, USA

India and Pakistan should both stop treating Kashmir as real estate and let the Kashmiri people decide for themselves. Kashmir should be made independent.
Ali Zaidi, USA/ Pakistan

Kashmir is bleeding and until we come together as good neighbours and trust each other we will continue to fight

Rashid Khan, Pakistan/ USA

I think the main problem here is "Trust". Pakistanis don't trust Indians and vice versa. Just read some of the E-mails. Kashmir is bleeding and until we come together as good neighbours and trust each other we will continue to fight. Innocent people will continue to die and people will continue to hate. Build the trust and get rid of the hate. After all we do have the same culture. We need to build on that and move forward. I know this is probably a pipe dream. But I hope people realise that the current atmosphere is not helping anyone.
Rashid Khan, Pakistan/ USA

Kashmir is the unfinished business of the partition of the subcontinent. It was intentionally left incomplete by the British just as they have left flash points all over the world. Almost all of the current conflicts can be traced back the time when Britain went plundering around the world. That said, the only fair solution to the issue is the implementation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.
Ziad Asghar, USA

I suppose it's too much to hope that they'll let the Kashmiri people decide? Thought so.
Guy Chapman, UK

The long-term solution for peace is to establish some kind of self-rule

Srinivas Rangaraj, Canada

The long-term solution for peace is to establish some kind of self-rule for not only Kashmir but also all the other states in the union. The most important pre-condition however is the need to foreign mercenaries to be removed from the equation. The Pakistanis should be prevented from intervening and stirring up trouble. The terrorism should stop completely. This is turn will hopefully get the Indian government to stop its jack-booted approach to solving the problem. The issue of the Kashmiri Pundits (Kashmiri Hindus who have a right to live in Kashmir just like the Muslims do) should be addressed and economic development, infrastructure invested in yet again. Least of all, the Indian government should punish the corrupt local politicians who have pushed the state to the brink.
Srinivas Rangaraj, Canada

India will never release its illegitimate hold on Kashmir. The temporary cessation of hostilities over Kashmir is at best a pathetic and a fleeting attempt by the Indian Prime Minister to shore up some of the credibility lost by his racist remarks against Muslims in India over the barbaric destruction by marauding Hindus, of the beautiful ancient Mosque built by the first Moghul Emperor, Babar. Pakistan ought not to take Indian peace overtures seriously because in the past the Indians have always been the first to violate any token ceasefire. Kashmir is overwhelmingly Muslim and India has blatantly attempted to change this demography by either terrorizing the Muslim population by sectarian killings and rape, or by busing in thousands of Hindus to be settled in areas where Muslims were either killed or driven out en masse from their homes by the Indian army. Often the Indian forces will put the finger of blame on Muslim militants for dubious massacres of a few nondescript Hindus or Sikhs in a sly attempt to spark international outrage and ire at the Muslim freedom fighters who are always the bad guys. Recently even non-Muslim survivors, witness to such carnage have actually put the blame solely on the Indian army. To think that peace is near at hand is at best wishful thinking.
Tahir Nawab, NY, USA

I hope Vajpayee realises that his bus-peace initiative ended with the Kargil war. His current cease-fire initiative might end up in something worse that Kargil. About peace in Kashmir, even if India were truly interested in solving the Kashmir issue, Pakistan will continue to foment trouble in the future by encouraging separatist movements throughout India. India should learn from Israelis a thing or two of PR.
Gautam Chatur, USA/India

Indian Muslims need to take a stand on this issue. They have been deafeningly quiet so far

Shailesh, India/US

David James has made a very valid point. The conflict must be seen for what it is: A vortex of Middle-East and drug money funded Islamic militancy and a possible employment agency for thousands of uneducated Muslims from as far as Sudan. The first step is to make sure that all the foreign militants are removed from the picture. Obviously the onus lies on Pakistan, who still have the cheek to say that they provide only 'moral and political' support to them. Stop the cross-border terrorism and the situation in Kashmir will return to normal in a couple of months. Secondly: India should put together a comprehensive plan which gives the people of Jammu and Kashmir opportunity for a degree of self-governance, and economic stability. Thirdly: Indian Muslims need to take a stand on this issue. They have been deafeningly quiet so far. If the 125 million Indian Muslims have a united opinion about this situation, no one in the Islamic world can ever say that Kashmir needs to be with Pakistan or independent just because it has a Muslim majority.
Shailesh, India/US

Pakistan is under the false impression that the dispute is that of 'Hindu Vs Muslim' in nature when in fact the dispute is that of two states irrespective of their religious beliefs

Zia-Ur-Rahman, United States

What the religious manipulative Muslim clerics in Pakistan fail to realize is that India is truly in a catch-22 situation. I personally think that Kashmir should be re-united and vested with their right to exercise 'self-determination'. But this 'self-determination' should not challenge the integrity of either India and Pakistan and I think it won't as long as either country keeps their hands off Kashmir. The Kashmiris may be seeking Pakistan's assistance in arming their so called 'Jihadis'; but they don't want to align with Pakistan either. Pakistan is under the false impression that the dispute is that of 'Hindu Vs Muslim' in nature when in fact the dispute is that of two states irrespective of their religious beliefs. Indian Muslim soldiers died too in defending the Indian terrain last year. India is a secular country and has a larger Muslim population than Pakistan. Pakistan can never be a secular country because it was founded on the basis of religion. By Pakistan trying to alter this reality makes it worse for us, the Indian Muslim population. If Kashmir is 'free' of both states, the Kashmiris might be happy. If India feels that Pakistan intends to annex Kashmir forcefully, then Pakistan should very well prepare itself to absorb India's Muslim population as well. Neither side can have it all. So Pakistan should be a bit more careful what they wish for. They just might get more than they asked for.
Zia-Ur-Rahman, United States

As the violence slowly drifts off the valley it would be a good idea to watch the peace efforts in the Middle East and Ireland. These two peace efforts have been going on for sometime in spite of several hiccups along the way. A new accord with the 2 neighbours must be attempted taking into account the ground realities prevailing at this time. It is very hard to erase the memories of millions of people suffering on both sides of the imaginary line called the LOC. A good astute leadership/diplomacy and forward looking strategic solution should be evolved to end this useless conflict costing both the countries enormous amounts spent in arms/ammunitions etc. The war was started by mere mortals on both sides of the fence and let the people be sensible enough not to cloak this stupid war with religious overtones.
Sundar, USA

To tell you the truth, though bitter, Pakistan can never have peace with India. This country depends so much on it. It is the only thing which drives Pakistan. All its actions right from 14-8-47 has proved that. On the other hand if India allows Kashmir to separate on the basis of being Muslim dominated, It will just open a Pandora's box as there are still 150 million Muslims in India. If Kashmiris are worried about peace they should let peace prevail as status quo. No 3rd Muslim country from India, it has already seen enough bloodshed in past two.
Jee, India