Articles by Verghese Koithara

The India-Pakistan peace effort is now passing through a decisive phase. Never before have the two countries engaged each other so intensely or purposively. Both have moved away from long-hardened policy positions, and this has surprised most people in the two countries, and also abroad. There is not much popular comprehension yet of the historic nature of these shifts or of the strategic reasons that have necessitated them.

Both India and Pakistan now recognise the benefits of putting the Kashmir conflict behind them. Pakistan has begun to accept that the LoC is here to stay. Its effort now is make it politically acceptable by getting it signified as a 'soft' border, unlike the rest of the India-Pakistan border. This approach suits India too. A settled but soft border between the two parts of J and K, parallel and cascading autonomy as well as substantial and reciprocal force reduction in both parts will not only address the grievances of the Kashmiris, but also enhance the political and military security of both countries.