New Delhi, May 13
The Bush administration is working on a roadmap for resolving the protracted Kashmir problem by 2005 and joint Indo-Pak patrolling of the Line of Control (LoC) in 2004.
The US Embassy in Pakistan has prepared a mission and goal paper detailing the strategy required for promoting peace in South Asia, it is learnt.
This review and projection of increased American engagement in South Asia at the end of 2002 observes that “the last twelve months have convincingly shown that US global and regional interests require close engagement with Pakistan.”
That the US State Department has been following the policy outline in the goal paper is evidenced from the outcome of the recent visit by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage to Islamabad and New Delhi.
The goal paper has underlined a three-point action plan for troubled Kashmir. These are: (1) Insist that Pakistan prevents infiltration of militants across the LoC; (2) Urge Pakistan to move against terrorists and help
bring them to justice by supporting more effective law enforcement capabilities; and (3) Facilitate Indo-Pak dialogue on Kashmir.
Essentially, the USA wants to get India and Pakistan to resume and formalise the stalled bilateral dialogue along with further reduction of troops along the LoC. Washington is also keen that the two neighbours increase the frequency and scope of their military-to-military contacts and exchanges.
It is apparent that the Bush administration sees a wider role for itself in South Asia despite New Delhi rejecting any third party mediation in mending Indo-Pak relations which had touched an all time low after Kargil and the failed Agra summit in July 2001. The peace initiative announced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Srinagar a fortnight ago and Pakistan’s response indicate that events are moving in line with the US roadmap.
The US goal paper hopes to see India and Pakistan jointly monitor the LoC in 2004 as proposed by New Delhi at one time. Pakistan, on the other hand, had sought an international team to monitor the LoC for checking cross-border terrorism.
Simultaneously, the USA will ensure that Pakistan takes measures to prevent Kashmir militant groups and their supporters from openly raising money. Besides, the endeavour is to involve Kashmiri political leaders on both sides of the LoC in the dialogue on Kashmir.
Bilaterally, the Bush administration is keen that India and Pakistan develop diplomatic and political alternatives to tackle contentious bilateral issues by 2004. The USA believes that once the level of confidence between New Delhi and Islamabad goes up, the neighbours can work out new confidence building measures.
The goal paper has fixed 2005 as the target year for solving the protracted Kashmir issue. In that year, America seeks to achieve: (A) Regular movement of civilian traffic across the LoC; (B) Kashmiri politicians assume prominence in political discourse; and (C) Evolve framework for eventual political resolution of the Kashmir problem.
The US mission in Pakistan maintains it will continue to make aggressive diplomatic efforts to defuse tension and set the two neighbours on the path of cooperation rather than confrontation.
“This is an enormous task with tremendous benefits if we succeed and potentially dangerous consequences if we do not. The high-level diplomatic engagement with both India and Pakistan must be sustained,” the goal paper said.
The US Embassy in Pakistan, which began working on the goal paper in 2001 when terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed strong Pakistani support, noted that “restoration of democratic rule and further progress in curbing Pakistan support for extremist activities should eventually lead to fundamentally better Pakistani relations with India.”
The paper added that stabilisation of Indo-Pak bilateral relations will reduce defence spending, facilitate increased economic and investment opportunities in both countries and specifically help Pakistan to focus on democratisation and anti-terrorism efforts.
