The China Pakistan Economic Corridor, one of the largest constituents of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative is picking up pace very fast. With the latest consignment of Chinese infrastructural aid reaching the Gwadar port and the Pakistani government’s decision to raise a force comprising Pakistani Army personnel, primarily for the safety of Chinese workers involved in the colossal project, things seem to be on track. However, the Indian response is still lukewarm coupled with a degree of uncertainty. While little has been done to address India’s concerns pertaining to the project, the option for India to join the CPEC is still open. India has been opposing the corridor as it traverses the disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan Administered Kashmir), a territory belonging to the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which India considers its own. Hence, unless this issue is resolved, India’s participation will not see light and the situation in Kashmir will remain complicated.
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Further, Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism in Kashmir also stymies progress towards India’s participation in the CPEC.A breakthrough can be achieved using the soft border approach in Kashmir. A soft border is a non-militarized frontier allowing the free movement of people as well as goods from both sides. Such a border can have multiple transit points at various locations along the Line of Control (LoC) that will allow easier access to the other side for the locals in Kashmir. A renewed focus on establishing “soft borders” between India and Pakistan, rather than a final settlement of boundaries in Kashmir, can lead to New Delhi’s rapid integration into an expanded CPEC.
The benefits arising from this initiative are twofold: firstly, India will reap the economic benefits of investing in CPEC for growth and employment. Secondly, a temporary, if not permanent solution to the Kashmir dispute can be reached. This conversion of the LoC into a soft border can end decades of unrest in Kashmir. It is an amicable solution that addresses New Delhi’s primary objection pertaining to CPEC. Not only would it temporarily solve the violation of India’s territorial sovereignty, but it will also aid the economic development of Kashmir.
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A soft border approach in Kashmir is not a new phenomenon. It was first endorsed during the Premiership of Manmohan Singh. It was an important part of the India-Pakistan composite dialogue during the tenure of Congress-led UPA-1 government that endorsed by constituencies on both sides of the LOC. More so in India because it is willing to accept the current status quo in Kashmir and settle the dispute permanently. A soft border in Kashmir is definitely one solution. It is in sync with the demands of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and other separatist outfits in the valley that are opposed to the idea of Kashmir acceding to Pakistan and want an eventual reunification of all parts of the former state. A soft border in Kashmir will permit free movement of Kashmiris from both sides of the LoC and enjoys the support of Kashmir based separatist outfits as well as the populace in general.
If Kashmir has a soft border, CPEC could unlock Kashmir’s economic potential and make it a part of a much grander regional transportation network, with Srinagar as one of its important nodes. In centuries past, Kashmir used to be the terminal of the Silk Road and it formed an integral part of the route which connected South East Asia with Central Asia. The revival of this route will transform the region’s economy for the better. It will lessen insurgent activity in Kashmir thereby further integrating it into the Indian union. It will also enhance economic cooperation with China and reduce the skewed trade imbalance between India and China. Indian exports to China through Kashmir can bring down the transportation costs by a considerable margin. This will make Indian goods more competitive in the Chinese market, thus giving India the opportunity to facilitate more exports and develop its economy.
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India has always been an ardent supporter of freedom of navigation in the seas. When the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) gave its judgment against China on similar lines, there was prompt appreciation from the Indian side. But India’s position on Freedom of Navigation across the Oceans should also be translated effectively to overland free trade. India should welcome the revival of the old Silk Road as it gives India more choices and reduces its dependence on trade routes controlled by the United States. At the same time, this will ensure a significant improvement in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. Peace in Kashmir would be advantageous both for India as well as Pakistan. Both of these countries can use this as a platform to further resolve their differences regarding the Sir Creek, Indus Waters and Siachen.
Finally, in order to ensure all this, it is imperative that cross border terrorism from Pakistan in Kashmir is completely stopped. India’s sovereign claims over Pakistan administered Kashmir can only be dropped after a reciprocal Pakistani move that ceases to abet state sponsored terrorism in Kashmir and Islamabad relinquishes its claims on Indian administered Kashmir. Development cannot occur alongside continued terrorism. It is up to Pakistan to completely incapacitate the terror networks operating in Pakistan administered Kashmir, which would give India the much needed enthusiasm and confidence to realize a soft-border. A complete crackdown on outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba is a prerequisite to the success of CPEC in Kashmir with India, China and Pakistan cooperating mutually and thereby ensuring peace and development in the region.
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