The recent news that the Taliban has backed India’s sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir has certainly sent ripples through the geopolitical landscape, leaving Pakistan, predictably, in a state of dismay Pakistan fumes as Taliban back India’s sovereignty over J&K. This development, coinciding with Pakistan's airstrikes in Kabul in response to perceived terrorist threats, underscores the volatile and ever-shifting dynamics of our region, as noted in a recent report detailing how these airstrikes test Pak-Afghan relations Airstrikes test Pak-Afghan relations; India backs collective fight against terror.
It makes me reflect on how certain long-standing issues, particularly the Kashmir conundrum, continue to manifest in unexpected ways. For years, I have advocated for a pragmatic, long-term solution that moves beyond entrenched positions and towards genuine stability. I remember, back in 2018, when Imran Khan made what was then seen as a peace overture to India, I wrote a piece titled "One Step > Two Steps > Four Steps ?" One Step > Two Steps > Four Steps ?. In that blog, I urged leaders on both sides to consider a bold step: converting the Line of Control (LoC) into an international border.
At the time, my suggestion was rooted in the belief that such a move would offer a permanent resolution, ending decades of skirmishes and the tragic loss of innocent lives. It was a call to de-escalate, to find common ground, and to spare millions of people the immense human and economic cost of perpetual conflict. I even drew parallels to the Syrian crisis in another blog, "A Syria at our doorsteps ?" A Syria at our doorsteps ?, warning against external interventions that serve only to deepen the crisis for the local populace while global powers pursue their own strategic interests.
Now, seeing how the Taliban's stance has created a fissure in Pakistan's traditional narrative on J&K, a sense of validation washes over me. The current diplomatic shifts, however unexpected, highlight the fluidity of alliances and the imperative for nations to prioritize internal stability and regional cooperation over historical grievances. My earlier insight, that a direct, mutually agreed-upon solution to the border issue is essential for lasting peace, still holds immense value.
Today, I feel a renewed urgency to revisit these earlier ideas. Perhaps these unforeseen geopolitical developments create an environment where such bold, forward-looking solutions—solutions that were once dismissed as unthinkable—might finally be given the serious consideration they deserve. The focus must be on practical steps that genuinely benefit the people of the region, rather than clinging to positions that perpetuate instability and conflict.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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