Kashmir is being marginalized

AS Foreign Ministers level talks between Pakistan and India are to take place in Islamabad on May 21, Indian media is reporting that New Delhi is set to propose new Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to Pakistan like increasing frequency in bus services across the LoC and to make the truck service operational.
The deliberate leaks to the media by the Indian external affairs ministry are aimed at gauging the reaction from the new Pakistani government. The two countries initiated the CBMs to create congenial atmosphere which may help in the resolution of core issue of Kashmir that has bedeviled relations between the two countries since independence. Enhancing the frequency of bus service or operationalisation of truck service would be just cosmetic measures aimed at marginalizing the main issue of Kashmir. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in an interview has already emphasized that Kashmir issue needs to be resolved in line with the aspirations of the people. He rightly emphasized that Kashmir dispute is the core issue in bilateral relations and even opposed the four point proposal earlier mooted by President Musharraf saying that these were half baked proposals discussed by the President and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during parleys over the past four years to resolve the lingering Kashmir issue. Diplomatic observers and people of Pakistan and Kashmir firmly believe that CBMs would be a futile exercise if the core issue of Kashmir is not addressed at the high level talks between the two countries. The way the Indians are avoiding to discuss Kashmir issue raises a whole series of questions about their intent. They just want to show the international community that New Delhi is holding talks to improve relations with Pakistan. It is time for the Pakistan government to impress upon India that their dialogue must be centered around addressing Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek rather than minor matters as these would get resolved when major issues are no more between the two countries.