Why Kashmir Needs Investment in Political Capital

India needs to clearly outline its endgame in Kashmir beyond petty politicking within the ambit of a grand strategy, harmonising Kashmir politics and governance with a firm control on the terror emanating out of Pakistan.

Kashmir’s Rock Band Storm

Was this a localised problem within the band culture and limited to the social media world or really reflection of radicalism taking deep roots in Kashmiri society?

Has India Lost the Strategic Advantage?

Pakistan, India and J&K are all headed for elections. There, thus, is great patriotic duty of politicians (military in case of Pakistan) to take recourse to rhetoric based grand standing to garner public support in their respective constituencies. In each country and state this has provided the right fodder to the political class to engage in upping the ante – much against preserving National Interest.

Kashmir: Analysing “Heart is My Weapon” Doctrine

The strategy aims at managing the mathematics of terror at the Line of Control, creation of a strong intelligence network in the hinterland to isolate and neutralize the militants and spreading the message of hearts through credible and genuine actions.

The Killer Avalanches in Kashmir: Nature’s Fury and Man’s Grit

This story comes in late in the day as the South Asian Idea Team explored the facts of the case to unearth the spirit of the soldiers and the civilians of Kashmir that the avalanches that struck on 22 Feb could not bury. This is an account of the man’s struggle against the forces of [...]

Kashmir 2011: The Turning Point

Editor’s Note: Kashmir has reached a turning point because of the dint of hard work by leaders and people operating to make Kashmir safe. Personalities are important but secondary to the doctrines and people friendly strategies they have implemented. These strategies need to be evolved further by all stakeholders to make Kashmir what it is [...]

AFSPA – The Larger Picture

Pakistan, therefore, is using the current period to consolidate by silently building constituency for a popular support base. Currently it finds violence counter productive to its overall aim as it would suck away its Afghan resources and make it fight two proxy wars to its east and west.

SAARC 2011- Optimism or Pragmatic Realism

To ensure a favourable neighbourhood, India needs to take proactive initiatives that combine good economics and astute diplomacy. A shortsighted approach vacillating between appeasement and coercion has not yielded the desired results. In the prevailing environment, smaller neighbours are not averse to India playing a lead role as long as their interests are well served.

Kohala: The Gateway to Kashmir

“Pakistan is extremely insecure about Kashmir and they want to keep a regular check on who is coming in and who is going out”, says an activist in Muzaffarabad. He adds: “We (Kashmiris) are in a permanent state of confusion about our identity and nationality and Kohala reminds us of that every day”. The independent viewpoint is closer to reality. Kohala is Pakistani’s major political, diplomatic and strategic ploy over Kashmir. Through the identity check at crossing point, Pakistan intends to tell both the domestic and international community that Kashmir is a separate ‘State’ under temporary protection of Islamabad. Politics apart, this uncertainty is a daily life psychological and emotional burden on every subject of Pakistan administered Kashmir.

A People’s General

The first Muslim officer to command the Army in Kashmir in two decades, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain is attempting to bridge the divide between the Army and the people with his “heart as weapon” doctrine, reports MUZAMIL JALEEL. This story first appeared in Indian Express 16 April 2011 ASSALAMUALIKUM. Mera naam Ata Hasnain hai.” [...]

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