WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (APP): The recent unrest in the Indian occupied Kashmir cannot be ignored by Presdient Barack Obama during his upcoming visit to India, a top American expert on South Asian security said.His comments came as Kashmiris from across the world urged the United States presdient in a petition to help end their sufferings in the disputed region and appoint an envoy for resolution of the longstanding South Asian conflict, which imperils international security.Bruce Riedel, who is associated with Washington’s Brookings Institution and has been advocating a subtle U.S. diplomacy on the lingering Kashmir conflict, however, opined that public comment on the Kashmir situation during the Indian might be “potentially explosive.”
“Obama’s visit will also take place against the backdrop of the revival of the Kashmiri question....The intifada that exploded this summer in Kashmir cannot be ignored by the President during the visit but any comments on it will be potentially explosive,” he wrote.
Riedel was referring to a series of demonstrations by Kashmiri youth this summer which saw the valley resounding with slogans for realization of their rights and freedom from India. In retaliation, the Indian security troops have killed more than 100 Kashmiri people and clamped excruciating curfews on valley.
A recent study by U.S. think tank Carnegie Endowment International Peace also stressed that the United States has strategic interests in normalizing relations between South Asian adversaries India and Pakistan and New Delhi must realize that Washington cannot remain silent on human rights violations in the disputed Kashmir region.
The report last week emphasized that the ‘Indian leaders must also do more to correct the misgovernance and human rights abuses that are remobilizing Muslims in the Kashmir Valley.”
‘The United States has legitimate strategic interests in urging both India and Pakistan to explore all prospects for normalizing Indo-Pak relations and reducing the threat of violent extremism in South Asia and elsewhere,” the report crafted by George Perkovich said as President Barack Obama prepared to visit New Delhi from November 6.
The study says that “Indians may reasonably expect the United States to heed their demand not to try to mediate the Kashmir issue with Pakistan,” but makes it clear that “they (Delhi) should not expect it (US) to stay silent about large-scale Indian human rights violations or other policies that undermine conflict resolution there.”
Islamabad has also urged President Obama to take up the Kashmir dispute during his visit, arguing strongly that peace in South Asia hinges on a fair settlement of the longstanding issue.
Meanwhile, Kahmiri-American Council, has released a petition to President Obama, asking him to help resolve the decades-old festering South Asian conflict and end the sufferings of Kashmiri people who only this summer have braved out curfews, tortures, rapes and illegal detentions as they continue to raise their voice for their UN-acknowledged right to self-determination.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, head of the Washington-based Council, said the disptued Kashmir is the only place surrounded by three nuclear powers - Pakistan, India and China - and therefore needs urgent attention in the interest of international peace.He underlined that the time for subterfuges is over and there is no escaping the reality of Kashmir dispute.
“Once again, Kashmir is giving proof that it is not going to compromise, far less abandon, its demand for Azaadi (freedom from illegal Indian rule) which is its birthright and for which it has paid a price in blood and suffering which has not been exacted from any other people of the South Asian subcontinent.”
Riedel was referring to a series of demonstrations by Kashmiri youth this summer which saw the valley resounding with slogans for realization of their rights and freedom from India. In retaliation, the Indian security troops have killed more than 100 Kashmiri people and clamped excruciating curfews on valley.
A recent study by U.S. think tank Carnegie Endowment International Peace also stressed that the United States has strategic interests in normalizing relations between South Asian adversaries India and Pakistan and New Delhi must realize that Washington cannot remain silent on human rights violations in the disputed Kashmir region.
The report last week emphasized that the ‘Indian leaders must also do more to correct the misgovernance and human rights abuses that are remobilizing Muslims in the Kashmir Valley.”
‘The United States has legitimate strategic interests in urging both India and Pakistan to explore all prospects for normalizing Indo-Pak relations and reducing the threat of violent extremism in South Asia and elsewhere,” the report crafted by George Perkovich said as President Barack Obama prepared to visit New Delhi from November 6.
The study says that “Indians may reasonably expect the United States to heed their demand not to try to mediate the Kashmir issue with Pakistan,” but makes it clear that “they (Delhi) should not expect it (US) to stay silent about large-scale Indian human rights violations or other policies that undermine conflict resolution there.”
Islamabad has also urged President Obama to take up the Kashmir dispute during his visit, arguing strongly that peace in South Asia hinges on a fair settlement of the longstanding issue.
Meanwhile, Kahmiri-American Council, has released a petition to President Obama, asking him to help resolve the decades-old festering South Asian conflict and end the sufferings of Kashmiri people who only this summer have braved out curfews, tortures, rapes and illegal detentions as they continue to raise their voice for their UN-acknowledged right to self-determination.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, head of the Washington-based Council, said the disptued Kashmir is the only place surrounded by three nuclear powers - Pakistan, India and China - and therefore needs urgent attention in the interest of international peace.He underlined that the time for subterfuges is over and there is no escaping the reality of Kashmir dispute.
“Once again, Kashmir is giving proof that it is not going to compromise, far less abandon, its demand for Azaadi (freedom from illegal Indian rule) which is its birthright and for which it has paid a price in blood and suffering which has not been exacted from any other people of the South Asian subcontinent.”
