Can the Kashmir Problem be Resolved Permanently?

Indeed it can! Here’s how it can be done to the satisfaction of all three parties… and Pakistan can only object to this solution at the cost of exposing its duplicity about fighting for Kashmir’s “freedom”.

History tells us that national boundaries have periodically been drawn and redrawn. Once this is clear to all citizens and politicians – in India and Pakistan – Jammu & Kashmir (including Pak-occupied Kashmir!) would be conferred a Vatican-like status, subject to certain conditions.

While the State would have its own currency, Indian and Pakistani rupees would both be legal tender. Although the State would have its own police force, it would not have an Army, being considered a demilitarized zone. All Indian and Pakistani troops would be withdrawn from the respective sides of their J&K borders. Military (and terror) training camps would be dismantled and Jihadis absorbed into the new J&K police force. J&K citizens could move about freely within India and Pakistan, without visas and passports. Indian and Pakistani citizens would likewise have the freedom to travel freely within J&K. Although permitted to live there for extended periods on work or business, citizens of India and Pakistan would not be permitted to buy land in J&K.  

J&K would have a separate Constitution, Flag and National Anthem, with its own Parliament and Courts. Mining and mineral rights in the State would only vest with J&K entities and individuals. Maps of both India and Pakistan would display J&K as a “separate extension” of their national borders. Ten years after J&K’s new status comes into effect, India would not be required to extend subsidies to it, as it would earn its own keep.

In short, the effort would be to meet the aspirations of all J&K citizens, whatever their religious denominations, while forever burying any excuses and alibis for extremists to continue their so-called Jihad or freedom struggle against India.