news details |
|
|
| Kashmir back in the focus | | | AGENCIES
New Delhi: Kashmir is back in the international agenda with a bang. India's worst fears of an intrusive Democratic presidency in the US appears to be coming true, though officials are confident that no amount of pressure on Kashmir will make much difference and South Block will not allow any country however powerful to dictate terms
Kashmir however will be on the agenda of the Obama presidency.
Perhaps not in the first few months but eventually. Obama has spoken of this in a major interview during his campaign. Pointing out that the focus of his government would be the war on terror in Afghanistan, he said Pakistan must be made to do its bit.
And to get the Pakistan military focused the issue of Kashmir which has been a key irritant in India-Pakistan relations has to be resolved. There was talk too of appointing an envoy for Kashmir, though there has been no forward movement on that front yet. There have been a series of statements from top US and British diplomats on Kashmir. The latest voice is that of Susan Rice, Obama's ambassador designate to the UN. Rice mentioned Kashmir in the same breath as conflict torn region ``hot spots'' like the Golan Heights and the Balkans. Though it was a passing reference, it is a clear indication of the new thinking in the Obama camp.
But whether New Delhi likes it or not, there will be pressure from the international community, led by Washington and London to solve the dispute which has soured relations between the two Asian nuclear neighbours. The recent elections in Kashmir and the massive popular participation will help to strengthen India's case and give an added weapon to South Block to argue its position.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
