It is a tragedy of our times that the fate of over ten million Kashmiris has become dependent on the mood of the two Prime Ministers meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit in Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. For more than a year now they have been playing hide and seek at different world fora. The question had been whether they will meet or not. Finally they have met for an hour or so. The composite dialogue which had come to a creeping pace after the departure of General Musharraf had remained totally suspended since the events of 26/11 in Mumbai. Dialogue between the two countries had become a dialogue of the unwilling. They were being “nudged” by outsiders to start the dialogue and they did it only to show that they are talking. Notwithstanding their declarations that new doors have to be opened and they have to go beyond handshake, the earlier doors are getting closed one by one! In spite of the photo ops for embraces and handshakes, the real bonhomie and warmth is still missing thanks to the unshakeable mistrust. Now it is being said that there would be no composite dialogue but communication channels would be kept open! It is for the umpteenth time that the two countries have reiterated that the dialogue is the only way forward. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere. In spite of the so called cordial exchange of ideas and interaction, the two sides held separate press conferences. For years now we have been hearing about various tracks on which the dialogue has been moving. However, it seems all the tracks have turned into roads to nowhere! Kashmiris have been a witness to these dialogues and parleys for over 63 years. There must be dozens of world capitals where the dialogues to resolve Kashmir have been held during all these years. Alas, due to the misfortune of Kashmiris there has been no movement forward in giving succour to them. Rather their condition has gone from bad to worse and the dispute which was basically to restore their right of self-determination, has become totally intractable and complicated. During all these years both Kashmir and its inhabitants have suffered. People in thousands have been killed. Thousands have been maimed and thousands are still unaccounted for. There are thousands of widows and orphans. Last two decades have been the worst. Society has been shattered. Environment has been vandalised. People have become listless and insensitive to everything around them. Finer qualities of life are missing. There is total materialism and an insatiable greed. Corruption in every sphere of the society has become the order of the day. Common people are squeezed from all sides. They are in a dark tunnel without any light at its end!

It is very pathetic that the SAARC conference in Thimpu discussed various aspects of environment and the global climate change. Every body seemed to be concerned with the physical environment but no mention was made about the human environment. South Asia has a big problem of Human Rights. However, all the leaders seemed least concerned about the Human Rights situation in different countries of the region. Even if we are able to take drastic measures to safeguard our physical environment what is the use if the human beings have their very survival threatened! A person who is not sure of his survival is least bothered about his physical environment. Peace can be ensured in the region only when all the inhabitants are guaranteed their basic Human Rights and are allowed to live with dignity and honour. The two neighbours have now changed priorities and Kashmir is the least one. For Pakistan the most important thing is guarantee for continued supply of water and peace on its eastern front to allow its military operations against Taliban on the western front and within the country. Kashmir, which was once claimed to be its jugular vein, is now on the back burner. For India, Kashmir is a guinea pig for its “Secularism” and a strategic stick to keep Pakistan under its thumb. All the rivers on which Pakistan’s survival depends flow through Kashmir and its strategic location threatens Pakistan’s security. Both sides are using Kashmir as an easy handle to settle scores with each other. In this unending process of conflict the main sufferers are the Kashmiris. Two generations have already been consumed by this endless conflict and the third one is simmering and may have a similar tragic end. At the moment the cheapest commodity is the blood of a Kashmiri. It is being spilled right and left without any accountability. The world at large has become cold towards happenings in Kashmir. This cold attitude has been more pronounced after 9/11. How long will Kashmiris have to suffer? How long will they be held hostage to the unachievable Indo-Pak détente? How long will the fate of Kashmiris depend upon the mood of the two Prime Ministers?

The answers to these questions can only be given by Kashmiris themselves. Unless the Kashmiris put their act together and come on a single platform to put forth their aspirations, no one is going to listen to them or get moved by their plight. At the moment they are pulling themselves in a dozen directions through dozens of groups and parties. They are not even sure who their real and genuine leader is. Some are even trying to locate one with mega searchlights! We may not get one for generations. However, if the people really want a change, they do not need a leader. They can lead themselves to final emancipation if they make up their mind and have the urge to do so. Let me end on an optimistic note. Let us pray that the sentiments and declarations made by the two sides after the Thimpu meet are genuine and sincere. Let us pray that there is a real climate change for the good between India and Pakistan which will ultimately lead to the fulfilment of the aspirations of Kashmiris, the worst sufferers of the conflict!