On PM’s Vision For ‘Naya Kashmir’: Ending Pakistan’s Proxy War

Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “On PM’s vision for ‘Naya Kashmir’: Ending Pakistan’s proxy war” which was published in the Indian Express. In his first visit since abrogation of Article 370, the Prime Minister of India has charted a course for future. 

Situations in Naya Kashmir

• Change in the mindset of people: 
  • In 1989, Pakistan launched a plan to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with external support. The limited security measures allowed frequent movement across the Line of Control (LoC) and  declaring of Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan.
  • The popular slogan during this period was “Kashmir banega Pakistan.”
  • After the abrogation of Article 370, sentiments shifted in India, and the slogan became “PoJK banega Hindustan.”
  • Despite the change, a duality in the Kashmiri mindset persists and will take time to fully neutralise.
• WHAM Policy: The Indian Government has adopted a multi pronged strategy departing from the military based actions.
  • The emphasis is now on “winning hearts and minds” (WHAM) with visible development programmes as well as youth and women empowerment.
• Reduced  Military presence: has allowed for more normalised civilian administration.
  • The socio-economic outreach of the Indian Government  through deliverable development projects has managed to create far greater hope than ever before.
  • All this has facilitated an “all of government “ approach.
• Economic development as counterbalance: The direct rule from Delhi through a Lieutenant Governor  has been a force multiplier.
• Army Outreach: The Army’s experience of outreach has been well exploited through a more integrated approach.

Concerns

• Pakistan: remains committed to forces of separatism in J&K through acts of sponsored terror whenever possible, in a bid to remain relevant even in the face of a transforming region.
• Ideological extremism continues to remain embedded: A study of the proliferation of international conflicts and their nature reveals that an ideologically driven second cycle of global terrorism could well be triggered. J&K falls within the ambit of such a cycle. 

Conclusion

• State elections: The Government should use the peaceful situation of J&K and conduct elections.
• Statehood:  should be restored and a timeline should be given by the Government.