In his Independence Day message, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reiterated that economic measures alone cannot resolve political problem in Kashmir. He has called on India and Pakistan to explore ways and means to address the political issues in an atmosphere of peace and amity. In recent months, Chief Minister has often expressed his disappointment about the unproductive nature of the ongoing talks between India and Pakistan, saying “talks for the sake of talks will yield nothing”. The CM has also objected to the separate dialogue on Siachen, saying the glacier is part of Jammu and Kashmir. These statements have come in the backdrop of the ongoing dialogue between India and Pakistan which so far has not been able to make any headway. They carry, therefore, a hint of displeasure with the talks between the two countries. The statements have a certain renewed resonance on the 66th Independence Day, with Pakistan already having observed it a day earlier. The two countries though cooperatively engaged with each other over the past two years remain hopelessly divided when it comes to resolving their historical issues. History is the witness, that these lingering differences have often plunged Kashmir into turmoil and brought the region to the brink of disorder. And as goes the cliché, if we ignore history it is bound to repeat itself. At a time when India is raring to join the global power club and Pakistan at least seems to have transitioned to a steadier democratic rule, the unresolved baggage of the past casts a pall of uncertainty over the future.  No doubt, the two countries in recent months have covered some distance to forge a durable economic cooperation. But as Omar has himself underlined, the economic measures alone will hardly suffice to lay the demons of the past to rest. This will require the two countries to take the ongoing dialogue to its logical conclusion. As of now, what we are witnessing is little more than talks for the sake of talks.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST