M Nadeem Bhatti
DONALD Trump entered the 2016 presidential
race as a Republican and defeated 16 other candi
dates in the primaries. Commentators described his political positions as populist, protectionist, and nationalist. He was elected in a surprise victory over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, although he lost the popular vote. He became the oldest first-term U.S. president, and the first one without prior military or government service. It’s no secret U.S. President Donald Trump can sometimes be nicer to his country’s perceived enemies than its friends. But Trump’s unorthodox negotiating style appears to be wearing thin in Kashmir. Trump’s advice that Pakistan and India must “work towards reducing tensions” in the wake of the abrupt cancellation of the special status and autonomy of India-held Kashmir shows just how grave the situation is between the two nuclear-armed states. A tough situation, but good conversations”, is how Mr Trump described the current state of affairs in this region through his tweets, after speaking by phone to the leaders of the two countries in the space of a few days. Many on this side of the border would have taken Mr Trump’s latest attempt to disentangle Pakistan and India as a rudimentary effort at firefighting – not quite the mediation he offered over Kashmir during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to the White House last month. It is intended to de-escalate present hostilities to avert a potential war in the region that would have long-term repercussions for the entire world. This is not for the first time that America has intervened to ward off possible military conflict in the region. But this time, Washington should play a more proactive role and make good on Mr Trump’s ‘offer’ to mediate on the Kashmir dispute for long-term peace.
A constructive American engagement with both sides focused on finding a solution to the Kashmir dispute is important to ensure lasting peace in South Asia for the sake of its people as well as for international security and order. There is no doubt that India, which has always been averse to any suggestion of mediation over the Kashmir dispute by a foreign power or even by the UN, will put up strong resistance to such efforts. Nonetheless, it is important to convince New Delhi to listen to the voice of reason once the international community, led by America, realizes that peace and an improved relationship between India and Pakistan is in the best interest of all those with stakes in this region. The Kashmir conflict is a territorial conflict primarily between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. The conflict started after the partition of India in 1947 as a dispute over the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir and escalated into three wars between India and Pakistan and several other armed skirmishes. China has also been involved in the conflict in a third-party role. Both India and Pakistan claim the entirety of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. India controls approximately 55% of the land area of the region and 70% of its population, Pakistan controls approximately 30% of the land, while China controls the remaining 15%. India administers Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, Ladakh, and the Siachen Glacier. Pakistan administers Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. China administers the mostly uninhabited Shaksgam Valley, and the Aksai Chin region.
Within this context, the regional bloc may not be able to play any meaningful role in the current crisis between India and Pakistan. Can SAARC envision itself as a provider of regional public goods in promoting peace and security. But truth is that SAARC has no vital role in that. If this South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation cannot play vital role in this scenario then this organization should be dissolved. India has stopped trade with Pakistan so there is no concept of South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation here. The Islamic countries which are more than 57 are still silent on this issue. If not 57 but only 15 major countries like Saudi Arab, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey and others like that break connection with India, stop trade or ban their visas, this will hurt India a lot. But it is strange to notice that no other country except Turkey has raised her voice for this brutal situation. On the other side Donald Trump is still trying to play the positive role of this South Asian issue. Moreover, not only for this Kashmir issue but for many other issues, he did such things which show his intentions toward world peace. Visiting North Korea for a better relationship, taking back Army from Afghanistan and now this issue where he continuously trying to resolve the Kashmir issue on one table but not with war.
In fact many living legends Nobel Peace Prize winners are still silent on this issue like Malala Yousafzai. Who was named as peace lover especially for women and children. But as far as my knowledge is concerned she or any other winners have not spoken a single word on that issue. Not for the nation not for the kids and women stuck there not for any human rights. So it’s better to change the rules of Nobel Peace Prize or give this award to Donald Trump as well who is working very hard to resolve this India-occupied Kashmir issue. Where almost 1.47 million Kashmiris are deprived & basic necessities of life like food education medicine and even shelter. With reference to my recent visit to the US I came to know that people are happy to have President like Donald Trump and his policies are for the welfare and the radiant future of United States of America. As America is a superior power Donald Trump should play his positive role immediately to stop both countries from going to a full-fledged war, which can destroy many more countries because both are the atomic powers and if it happens then destruction is unlimited. And there will be no remaining market where the superpower shall sell their products. Even they can destroy their GDP. So it is mutual benefit of all to stop both these countries to get involved in war.
—The writer is an Entrepreneur, Social & Economic analyst (Chairman), Federation Pakistan chamber, garment industry committee, Small & medium industrial association bund road Lahore, Pakistan columnist council Lahore Pakistan.
