“This decision of outreach is appreciable keeping in mind not just the internal political harmony but also the security & geopolitical calculations of the region”
By Sohail khan
Recently central government called for an all-party meeting & met around 14 leaders of various regional political parties of J&K to hold a constructive political dialogue in an attempt to address the political aspiration of people of J&K. This political outreach by centre comes nearly two years after it altered the constitutional & political status of J&k. To inforce those decisions & constitutional changes, the centre implemented several controversial measures including placing J&k under prolonged period of lockdown, followed by arrest of several political leaders. These harsh measures were put in place along with the suspension of internet for months together in anticipation of violence & backlash against those decisions of centre. After several months of harsh measures & lack of political outreach, Prime Minister Modi has himself shown flexibility which was needed & has been making political outreach to initiate a new political process. This decision of outreach is appreciable keeping in mind not just the internal political harmony but also the security & geopolitical calculations of the region
Changing geopolitics
The centre can no longer afford to ignore the aspirations of J&k because there are critical security & geopolitical developments that are taking place in the neighbourhood. All these developments are going to have a direct impact on the situation in J&k & this is what explains the centre’s latest outreach towards J&k. The external events which could influence the situation in J&k includes :
Indo-pak dialogue
The new dialogue process has begun between India and Pakistan & significant improvement in the relationship has achieved over the last few months. This improvement in the India -Pak relationship is the direct result on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan & also India’s ongoing border tension with China. India does not want to deal with two front threats simultaneously. Due to developing situation in Afghanistan, there would be pressure on India & Pakistan from US to normalise their relations because US would not want the Kashmir situation to have an impact on its critical Afghan policy when it has been withdrawing its troops .
Western Criticism
India is also well aware of the criticism from the western countries including few western governments , parliaments & the media concerning the violations of the basic rights of people of J&k by the centre
All these security & geopolitics related factors are at play & this has created a need for the central government to reach out to J&k & hold the constructive political dialogue in order to protect India’s domestic & external interests ,otherwise India’s interests would be severely compromised in the coming months especially if the situation in the Afghanistan were to deteriorate & if Taliban were to return to power
Way Forward
The discussions with the all political players need to be held by keeping an open mind & in good faith so that a suitable way forward can be worked out by keeping in mind not just the Indian interests but also the interests of people of J&k with regards to welfare & rights of people. The ongoing political outreach has the potential of achieving this, provided the centre approaches these talks with an open mind
Sohail khan is associated with J&k RTI movement & also the member of JKIFTS
