Siddhartha Jain asked: What are the short-term and long-term solutions to the Kashmir insurgency?

Ashok K. Behuria

replies: Kashmir is a difficult issue woven into the nationalist consciousness in both India and Pakistan over the decadeS. Kalyanaraman India considers it its secular crown; Pakistan regards it as its jugular vein and its terra irredenta (un-redeemed territory that rightfully belonged to it). Hence, to expect an early solution is unrealistic. But the two countries must take measures to improve bilateral relationship progressively and create conducive atmosphere for such thorny issues to be discussed in a dispassionate manner. Short term measures could be keeping the official and unofficial lines of communications alive even in the face of gravest provocations from the spoilers, and keep discussing the issues isolated under the composite dialogue. The progress made through dialogue begs for better dissemination through mediA. Vinod Kumar Vinod Kumar More regular dialogue between security establishments is another measure which may moderate Pakistani approach towards IndiA. Vinod Kumar Vinod Kumar Moreover, peace along the LoC and international border should be ensured by both the countries at all costS. Kalyanaraman Long term measures could be setting up a high level joint body from both the countries at a semi-official level and encourage it to thrash out issues related to Kashmir, and identify shortcomings in various approaches adopted by both the countries so far. There is also a significant body of literature on how to resolve the Kashmir issue based on measures adopted by countries at the international level while dealing with similar caseS. Kalyanaraman Issues like porous borders, shared control, joint sovereignty, neutral terrain, etc., have been discussed in the available literature. Such efforts can tap into the existing literature and suggest alternatives to both the governmentS. Kalyanaraman