For the first time in 58 years, the situation seems propitious to paving the way for ensuring peace, progress and prosperity in Kashmir. India and Pakistan, who have continued in a state of belligerence, have begun to realize that peace between them is imperative, and without the same their domestic and international concerns will continue. Perhaps this is why the leaders of the two countries are very keen to institutionalize the on-going peace process by negotiating further confidence building measures and thereby strengthening communications, cultural and trade links and, above all, people-to-people contacts. The two countries have expressed their willingness to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.

In view of the ongoing negotiations between India and Pakistan, particularly on the Kashmir issue, it is encouraging to see that the concerned parties are no longer insisting on earlier positions like Kashmir being an inseparable part of India, with no part belonging to Pakistan. The leadership of India and Pakistan have realized that by reiterating their old arguments they cannot move forward. Subsequent meetings between the two countries, followed by two round table conferences on Kashmir, have generated some hope among the people of Kashmir, in particular, and India and Pakistan, in general. People believe that the current initiatives on peace and tranquility will mark the end of the sorrows and sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

There is no denying the fact that some people are concerned over the slow pace of the negotiating process, non-participation of the Kashmiri separatist groups in the round table conference, and a new spurt of violence in Kashmir. These people are very concerned that such negative developments will hamper the ongoing peace process, rendering it irrelevant and meaningless. Moreover, the lack of Kashmir-centric confidence building measures has further strengthened their doubts. Questions over Siachen, Wular Barrage and cross-LoC linkages remain. The rejection of President Musharaff's fresh proposals for demilitarization and self-governance in Kashmir has created a sense of pessimism among these circles.

India and Pakistan must exercise utmost restraint in issuing provocative statements against each other. The two countries have to display greater flexibility and adopt new Kashmir-centric confidence building measures. This is the only way the people of Jammu and Kashmir will feel included in the ongoing negotiating process, being projected by hawkish elements as merely an exercise wherein the Governments of India and Pakistan are pursuing their respective national interests. History is witness to the fact that the most thorny and controversial issues of the world can be resolved through peaceful negotiations. The Kashmir wrangle can also be solved along amicable lines. However, this problem cannot be resolved within any limited period of time.

What is needed is that every legitimate party must feel associated with the ongoing peace process. After several years of intensive struggle they have succeeded in creating a cordial atmosphere for a meaningful negotiating process. It will bear fruit only when every party realizes its responsibility to bring this process to its logical conclusion. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are tired of the unending violence that has brought large scale destruction and devastation. Thousands have been killed and innumerable others have become physically disabled. Besides the destruction of property worth billions of rupees, countless people have been rendered homeless. To help them out of their plight it is the duty of both separatist and mainstream Kashmiri leaders to come forward and play their proper role, but they can only do so if India and Pakistan are willing to do the same.