Obama and Kashmir

The remark that came from Obama is quite surprising. I am not sure if it was just to attract the attention of people and increase the vote bank or if he really meant it. As this dispute is one of the oldest, nearly 61 years, a senate speaking on such an issue will always create noise. But since everyone was so sure that he only was going to be the forty-fourth president of US that I feel that there was no more need for him to attract attention. So did he really mean it?Let me give you an epitome of what he had to say about the issue. He said that he will try to resolve the dispute between India and Pakistan based on Kashmir so that Pakistan can focus more on fighting with Taliban and terrorism. A very valid point made. But let us stop for a moment and ask three very simple questions: Does Pakistan want the same? Does India want the same? Does Kashmir want the same?I know these questions look like somewhat stupid, but when I am referring to India and Pak, I am not implying common people but the leaders. If Pakistan could have wanted, this issue could have been resolved long before. After all, where are all the terrorist camps located? Even if Pak government tried to take some steps towards friendship with India, the Pak army, with an autonomous authority, was always a hindrance. Whatever aid it received from US to fight Taliban and terrorism, it used it against India. So was US helping Pakistan to spread terrorism? A question that Obama must think before taking any further steps to help Pakistan.But Pakistan was not the only culprit. If India has wished, this issue would never have aroused. Only if honorable Pt. Nehru would not have approached UN, the situations would have been different. A Kashmir with no LOC but a border would have made a lot of difference. But let bygones be bygones, what is India doing now? Every political party remembers this issue only when elections come. This has become a political issue, used to create vote bank. This is like if you can’t assure people anything that you are capable of, just pique a sense of discontent in them and become highlighted. Only if India shows the same attitude that China showed on Tibet issue, this issue can come to an end. But that will require lots of courage and will. And I can’t see anyone in current scenario that has an abundance of both. I think Obama’s eyes are sharper than that of mine and he must have recognized someone with that potential. And what about Kashmiries? It is about 61 years and India has not been able to provide peace in the valley. So it does not come as a surprise if the aborigines demand a separate state and complete freedom. But what Hurruyat has been unable to see that once Kashmir is separated from India, this will lead to instability and even more chaos both economically and politically. Instead of separationism, they should cooperate with India to help them and fight the current crisis. Many Kashmiries in the valley and outside the valley have supported Obama’s and welcomed his intervention is this matter. I would only say that “Dear Obama. First watch out your home, fight the financial crisis and if after that you still don’t get enough enervation, come to us. You are most welcome.