Barack Obama has hit a raw nerve in India by suggesting the United States should try to help resolve the Kashmir dispute so that Pakistan can focus on hunting down Islamist militants on its north-western frontier — who in turn threaten stability in Afghanistan — rather than worrying about tensions with India on its eastern border. India is extremely sensitive to any suggestion of outside interference in Kashmir, which it sees as a bilateral dispute, though Pakistan itself has long chafed against this position.
“The most important thing we’re going to have to do with respect to Afghanistan, is actually deal with Pakistan,” Obama said in an interview last week with MSNBC. “And we’ve got work with the newly elected government there in a coherent way that says, terrorism is now a threat to you. Extremism is a threat to you. We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they can stay focused not on India, but on the situation with those militants.”
On the face of it, the comments are not particularly dramatic. For months now, U.S. analysts have been saying the solution to Afghanistan lies in Pakistan, not just because al Qaeda and the Taliban are based there, but also because they believe Pakistan will never fully turn its back on Islamist militants as long as it thinks it can use them against India.
Nor are they particularly new. Back in July, Obama said the situation in Afghanistan might be made easier if the United States worked to improve trust between India and Pakistan. He has also accused Pakistan of misusing U.S. military aid meant to help it fight al Qaeda and the Taliban to prepare for war against India.
The sensitivity, however, lies in the fact that the comments were made at all by a man who opinion polls show as well ahead of John McCain before Tuesday’s presidential election.
“As Obamamania grips much of the world, including India, the man who might become the next President of the United States has ideas on Jammu and Kashmir that should cause some concern to New Delhi,” wrote Indian analyst C Raja Mohan in the Indian Express. “Given its vastly improved relations with the United States and Pakistan, India has no reason to press the panic button. Yet it should be quickly flagging its concerns with the foreign policy team of Senator Barack Obama, should he be declared the Forty-fourth President of the United States on Tuesday night.”
While India would agree that a Pakistan secure within its own borders would be good for the region, “India’s problem with the Obama thesis is in the simplistic trade-off it sets up between Kashmir and Afghanistan,” he said. American activism could backfire by undermining the current bilateral peace process, convince the Pakistan Army to harden its stance on Kashmir, and give a fresh boost to militancy there.
In contrast, Obama’s comments were welcomed by Kashmiris, both inside the Kashmir Valley and among the Kashmiri expatriate community in the United States. “I welcome the growing interest of Barrack Obama in resolving the Kashmir dispute,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the separatist Hurriyat alliance, told the Greater Kashmir newspaper in Srinagar. ”The US and international community is gradually recognizing that resolution of Kashmir dispute was imperative for peace in South Asia.”
So who is right? Arguably some of the greatest gains in the peace process were made behind-the-scenes in bilateral talks hidden from the glare of international attention. The agreement to call a ceasefire on the Line of Control, the heavily militarised frontline dividing Kashmir, for example, was made in November 2003, before the formal peace process was even launched in January 2004. But were these gains enough?
And how will Obama’s election rhetoric translate into policy if he becomes the next president of the United States?
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[...] that Kashmir has been deemphasized by the administration after a public push from the U.S.-India analysts who do not wish to see the issue [...]
- Posted by Across the Aisle » Chas Freeman and Debating the Tough Foreign Policy Issues[...] interesting analysis of this attack, It’s a cricket team that’s attacked. In this incidence -The Paki army has no [...]
- Posted by Attack on Lankan players in Lahore « NITYIN’s blogObama is right. I doubt Indian democracy on Kashmir issue.
- Posted by rajanhi replytopakis
- Posted by ReplytoGandiansi have read all your comments and to be frank your sounding like a old worn out nationalist hindu from the BJP the whole issue of kashmir is the problem india must accept its wrong doings by killing men and women and cold blood and being scared to death about the world finding out thats why these pathetic indians try and cover it up and state that no third party should try and resolve it because they might find mass graves in indian occupied kashmir firstly pakistan is able to feed its people and cloth them unlike india which is reserved for the likes of a few rich pigs like ambani while poor indians starve in dharavi the largest slum in asia india needs to start feeding its children before they get angry and have another anti india protest soon look at IOK this year thousands of protests and india trying to cover up amarnath ring a bell ? how do you expect to tack on pakistan when kashmiris spit on ghandi and indian flags lol kashmir it can never be indias pakistan doesnt need to try and take it kashmiris are spitting all over india
Hi Umair,
- Posted by replytopakisI read your all comments.Now you guys want a dialog with India and maybe business.One thing really confuse me that how a country like Pakistan ended up like this.NOW YOUR COUNTRY IS OUT OF CASH.THE PROBLEM OF TALIBANIZATION IS ever incresing.
why ur country always need some support like USA in past now china.
And there is no center of power in Pakistan your new elected president can’t even stop American attacks which are killing Muslim brothers .
I always believe Pakistan is destroyed by the Americans for their own profit.
UMAIR FIRST SAVE YOUR COUNTRY FROM ATTACKS THEN YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT KASHMIR.
HEY WOULD YOU GUYS SELL REMAINING KASHMIR TO INDIA FOR $8 BILLION DOLLAR ?.
NOW WE HAVE $ 400 BILLION DOLLAR WE CAN AFFORD THAT.RIGHT?
WE ONLY WANT REMAINING KASHMIR(POK 33 %) you can take the population with you AND THE REMAINING KASHMIR WHICH YOU GUYS SOLD TO YOUR CHINESE BROTHERS don’t worry about that we would get that part back very soon.
proud to be indian.
Hi Umair,
Firstly, if you consider the issues like dams, exchange of airspace are small issues then bro i will recommend you to take into account whats happenning in the rest of the world, even the Uncle Sam’s country (USA) is still having problems of water sharing with Mexico over Colorado River, also there have been constant instances of breaching airspace by US in LAtin America(mainly Venezuela and Columbia). Boss these kind of problems will exist and with constant dialogue will solve …just by linking them to the Kashmir issue wont solve any purpose…try to keep it aside from all these issues coz no mediation can be ever be successful in the KAshmir issue. Its the will of the two countries to look into future and move ahead in Life which will make the two neighbours live in peace and Harmony. And for that we dnt need mediators but able leaders frm both the sides to push the dialogue forward.
- Posted by Neo-The OneNeo
- Posted by UmairI appreciate you talking to me. But there is no point if we end up all talk and no substance. Pakistani diplomat Mr. Durrani was in India recently. Both Pakistan and India are 61 years old mature nuclear powers. In the bilateral framework even the smallest issues like little dams here and there, border opening, airspace authorization for commercial aircraft, echange of prisoners, limited trade etc could not be worked out. A big dispute like Kashmir will be settled? You tell me ?
Anyways, I only wish for prosperous South Asia.
Dear Umair,
This example of Mediation by Tony Blair has no effect, just by sending supplies across the Border is working for both Palestine and Israel is a mere consoling of Ur own mind. Boss there is no end to the deaths which are taking place there Earlier it was the US government now its Tony Blair…..if u dnt agree to that then get ur facts cleared. If it would have really worked then so many loss of lives could have been prevented… Moreover if u consider only supplies across the borders to be a sign of easing tension then India has long back declared Pakistan as MFN(Most Favoured Nation) and a trade of around $613 million takes place annually…now do u need a tony blair or obama to mediate coz SUPPLIES ARE ALREADY HAPPENING….. also wen u urself say that any amount of mediation efforts will only work in Indo-Pak scenario where both sides are free, open and willing to break with the past and look towards a future, then why need a mediator…if both both the sides are free, open and willing to break with the past then no need of a mediator we can talk ourselves…the way i am doing with u now….
- Posted by Neo-The OneMediation is working in Middle East as Tony Blair has taken the role of mediator between Palestinians and Israel. Just a day before his efforts helped supplies pass through Israel and into Gaza for the besieged city. Former Finnish President Maarti Ahtisari is another name who has been a good mediator.
- Posted by UmairNow any amount of mediation efforts will only work in Indo-Pak scenario where both sides are free, open and willing to break with the past and look towards a future.
Vijay
I used the name “Liberate Kashmir” though i post from my original name
regards
Umair
- Posted by Umair(Liberate Kashmir)
Vijay
- Posted by Umairyour post is long and i read it. You have asked me a question. Let me answer that in full honesty:
In my opinion, the US has always tried to have a relationship with Pakistan on merit. In 1947 Pakistan was a new born nation on the world map. Came 1965 and war broke out between Pakistan and India. I can tell you Pakistan Air force was flying the more advanced fighter planes supplied by US. 1971 US assistance did no good, since Pakistani politicians had seriously messed up things in East Pakistan. India took advantage and dealt a severe blow to Pakistan. Even today, I see US has always helped Pakistan in the military, economy etc.
India is a different story though. India could have done much better by building trust with Pakistan from the start. Pakistan had no reason to go nuclear until 1974, after which the PM Z.A Bhutto proclaimed we will eat grass but build the bomb. During Kargil 1999 and 2001-2002 border standoff had Pakistan not been a nuclear power, India would have certainly attacked Pakistan. What an expensive arms race.
To cut a long story short, both India and Pakistan are mature enough states now. There is a potential to develop normal neighbourly relations between the teo countries. We need more people on both sides of the border who can think rationally.
Its not really a question whther India screwed Pakistan more or the US. Its about safeguarding the national interest, whenever Pakistan did well in that we benefited. Wherever came the flaws, other countries have taken full advantage.
Liberate Kashmir,
Interesting !!. I am sure the issue is far more complicated than both of us can imagine. We will choose the wise men in our countries whom we have elected to work for a solution. At a philosophical level the analogy of our independance to equating to kashmir is difficult to fathom, Since the kashmiri people enjoy the same freedom what any indian citizen enjoys both its fruits & miseries of a functioning democracy.There is also additional safeguard not to change the demographic shift through Article 370.The intent i would say from the Government of India is honorable, I think may be they need to communicate more effectively to build trust & confidence with people of Kashmir.
I am not sure whether a 3rd party can dictate terms to both our countries how to resolve this conflict. Politically it will be suicidial even remotely for India & its citizens to agree to a US led peace initiative. I am sure someone like a Nelson Mandela Or Kofi Annan may be acceptable to both our country to see if there is a opportunity to deescalate the tensions & build some trust when fresh negotiations can be done in a fresh perspective.
Some logic are less appealing to me in the world of international politics like India Or Pakistan can have a nuke bomb but not Iran. You understand life sometimes is perception that if you are born in the US or the West you are of Pristine Morals while you take birth in this part of the land we become Immoral or Rogue Countries.
Let me ask you this honestly who do you think has screwed Pakistan more India or the US of Arrogance.
- Posted by VijayVijay
- Posted by Liberate Kashmiryou wrote : “If you think you will use nuke bomb & destroy each other you are a coward, if you use a weapon to get your freedom you are a bigger coward.”
I am a Pakistani muslim, but our forefathers fought together for freedom from British rule. Do you know the history of India and its partition. The revolt and 1857 civil war. Did Bhagat Singh die in vain? Freedom is the right of everyone. Happiness is the right of everyone. The Kashmir dispute has been dragged on for 61 years.
Even in Pakistan, terrorist organizations play the Kashmir card to justify taking up arms to fight for freedom. Why not settle Kashmir?
And yes, I am not a blood thirsty person! not at all. I would like to live in peace as much as you do. Indian stubbornness on Kashmir is causing large scale frustration in Kashmir itself and Pakistan.
Lets settle Kashmir and see what great potential Pakistan and India possess.
By the way liberator of Kashmir, Get over your US love, Indians would rather trust a Pakistani or a Persian than to trust a country like the US. Their wallet will keep getting richer when they play lamb versus lamb in Asia. India with China, China with Russia , Pakistan with Afghanistan.
Is your mind so bankrupt that you can’t think of resolving this issue when you look at how grateful they have been to both our countries & other asian countries.
- Posted by Vijay