11 Septemebr 2001: The US and Kashmir

04 Jan, 2002    ·   676

Mayilvaganan feels that the US, inside and outside the region should continue its current drive against terrorism with the same vigour
An analysis of the history of US relations towards South Asia would reveal that US has always acted on the basis of its own national security interests. Its policy towards Kashmir has been based on its national interests and not on the merits of the issues involved. With the end of Cold War, India had expected a balanced approach from the US on Kashmir . Unfortunately, the end of Cold War witnessed India and Pakistan emerging as de-facto nuclear weapons stakes in the 1990s. The “nuclear factor” resulted in the US terming Kashmir as a “Nuclear Flash-Point” in South Asia , which again has clouded its approach towards Kashmir . Subsequent US policy towards India and Pakistan , as was evident from its role during the Kargil war, was based on the mistaken belief that Kashmir has the potential to spark a nuclear war in South Asia .

 

 

The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 have changed the above misperceptions of the US on Kashmir . The first realization was the fact that the terrorist organizations fighting inside Kashmir are linked well with each other and to the Taliban regime through Pakistan . The very fact that the Taliban regime crumbled like a pack of cards, once the Pakistan military government and its ISI withdrew its support, revealed who was the main brain behind the organizational support for the Taliban and the other “Jihadi” organizations. The US also realized that, contrary to what has been claimed by Pakistan , the forces, which are fighting inside Kashmir , are not indigenous freedom fighters but terrorists actively aided and supported by Pakistan .

 

 

The September 11 attacks have also made considerable changes in the US perception of Kashmir , especially the “jihadi” organizations. India has been urging a ban on Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Al Badr. Initially, only the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen was shown in their list of terrorist groups, this group had long been disbanded and its cadres had joined other outfits. However, recently the Jaish and the Lashkar have also been termed as militant organizations, which the US had refused to do all these years, despite pressure from India. By imposing a ban on these militant organizations, the US has tried to pressurize Musharraf to take actions against these groups.

 

 

Apparently, the Bush administration is adhering to what it had declared before the war against terrorism began. It had then announced that US efforts against terrorism would go beyond Afghanistan . The question is how long would this policy be sustained? Would the US continue to have the same policy once Osama bin Laden is caught dead or alive?

 

 

The reason for American interest regarding Kashmir issue is the nuclearisation of the sub-continent. Even after the capture of bin Laden, this would continue, hence one can expect the US to have continued interest in Kashmir .

 

 

Now what would be its focus in Kashmir ? The US believes, that Kashmir , in the words of former US President, Bill Clinton, is "the most dangerous place in the world". This was re-emphasised recently by the US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. On the other hand, India would not like the US to get involved in any manner in Kashmir . 

 

 

What should the US do in Kashmir ? Collin Powell recently talked about the need to consider the 'wishes of the Kashmiri people' while settling the issue. It seems that US is derecognising the elected state government in Jammu and Kashmir . This is not in consistent with their policy of advocating democracy the world over. It would be better, if the US could force Pakistan to allow the forthcoming elections to proceed without militant threats. Outside Kashmir , the US should maintain its pressure both on Pakistan and India to engage themselves in a dialogue, which would focus on various issues including Kashmir . Inside and outside the region, the US should continue its current drive against terrorism with the same vigour. Once the terrorist factor is removed, normalcy would automatically return to Kashmir . Once normalcy returns, Kashmir would cease to be a flashpoint, nuclear or otherwise

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