L
38-year old Omar Abdullah became the CM of J&K. Will his 38-year old pal Rahul Gandhi become PM in April-May?
They can exploit the recently concluded, transparently fair J&K election to resolve the Kashmir dispute. That can be done only by simultaneously resolving the Indo-Pakistan dispute. It is Kashmir that has remained stuck in Pakistan’s throat for the last six decades. What can Omar and Rahul do?
After becoming chief minister, Omar said the successful election did not indicate the end of the Kashmir problem. Right. The last flames of separatism must be extinguished. How might that be done?
Rahul and Omar should recall the past. Rahul’s great-grandfather and Omar’s grandfather were on the right track before death snatched Pandit Nehru to abort the mission for which he had appointed Sheikh Abdullah as his envoy. The Sheikh was sent to Pakistan by Nehru to explore the prospect of an Indo-Pakistan confederation with Kashmir acting as a bridge between both nations. Even if Nehru had not died President Ayub Khan most likely would have rejected the proposal.
Nehru’s effort came after China had worsted India in the 1962 border war. It came after Ayub had offered an Indo-Pakistan joint defence in 1959 which Nehru had thoughtlessly rejected. It came after Beijing had established a relationship with Pakistan which illegally ceded a part of Kashmir to China. It came when India spoke from weakness. It came when Pakistan felt itself strong.
Well, things have changed. India is no longer weak. Pakistan is no longer strong. It faces its worst crisis since the secession of Bangladesh. The Kashmir separatists ignore the larger interests of the subcontinent. Why should the rest of India heed them? Omar Abdullah can redress that.
Omar should persuade all Kashmiris to demand an Indo-Pakistan confederation which allows Kashmiris across the LoC to live together without altering international borders. His friend Rahul Gandhi could influence New Delhi to initiate moves. Events might compel Pakistan to realise that it can best stabilise itself by joining a confederation modelled on Europe.
Benazir had recognised that.
(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)