Questioning the veracity of Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s theory on demilitarisation and joint Indo-Pak management of J&K, a group of experts have described it as a farce which could have serious implications if India accepted it.
Speaking at a Panun Kashmir, a socio-political outfit of Kashmiri Pandits, seminar on “Countering Secessionist Politics in J&K, held in New Delhi on Saturday, they felt that diluting Line-of-Control between the countries would be fraught with dangerous consequences given the serious developments taking place in the sub-continent.
Former chief of the Intelligence Bureau, Ajit Doval, predicted that Afghanistan would again be on the boil with regrouping and reemergence of Taliban in a big way. Softening Indo-Pak border or demilitarisation would mean exposing J&K to a greater risk emanating from Kabul, he hinted.
On the ongoing Indo-Pak negotiations, he said India should bargain with Islamabad on the issue of displaced Pandits. Pakistan should be categorically told that no settlement would be possible without addressing the Pandits’ issue.
Former diplomat G Parthasarthy said it was impracticable to dilute borders with Pakistan and POK. Quoting the European Union’s example, he said the borders exist in the EU’s configuration also despite their economic amalgamation.
"How would the entry of undesirable persons and goods be checked in the absence of a border and related security mechanism?," he asked.
Former diplomat G Parthasarthy said it was impracticable to dilute borders with Pakistan and POK. Quoting the European Union’s example, he said the borders exist in the EU’s configuration also despite their economic amalgamation.
"How would the entry of undesirable persons and goods be checked in the absence of a border and related security mechanism?," he asked.
Panun Kashmir Chairman Ajay Charngoo described the ongoing “experiments” to resolve Kashmir issue as an attempt to compromise with Muslim communalism. Any settlement arrived at with separatist jehadi groups would not be acceptable, he said.
He asked the Centre to set up a state reorganisation commission in J&K to address the problems of Jammu, Ladakh and the displaced Pandits.
Email Anil Anand: aanand@hindustantimes.com