The resolution of Kashmir conflict and other bilateral issues is not something which can not be resolved through dialogue. However, since hate sells much easier then love, hawks of both countries under its security dominated historical perspectives continues to preach hatred towards each other to their respective younger generations, keeping the fire of emulation alive and burning to date. Under the current security standing of both India and Pakistan, it is least likely that a military solution of Kashmir conflict will be possible without mass destruction of both countries. Both sides won't also ever give up the respective parts of Kashmir under their control. It happens to be the perfect catch twenty two situation exposing the entire region to the risk of a nuclear holocaust.
India aspires the status of a regional power in Asia pacific, however, Pakistan continues to be the biggest impediment in achieving Indian dreams. No matter how much the west supports India to rise as a counterweight to the Chinese influence, no sane mind will invest for long term in a country which is a direct target of an extensive nuclear arsenal. The situation surely does frustrate India which is thrice the size of Pakistan and possesses a vibrant economy compared to that of Pakistan. Pakistan on the other hand does not even flinch a bit having established credible nuclear deterrence towards her enemies . India has thus far tried all proxy warfare strategies against Pakistan, only to be met with failure under extreme resilience which marks the very fiber of Pakistani society. Pakistan for decades fought a proxy war against India at Kashmir, only to be halted by Pervaiz Musharraf regime in 2004 under intense American pressure post 9/11. Both countries leave no stone turned to harm each other's interests at any international forum. Top politicians in both countries score winning points on the hate agenda against each other. The text books of both countries are designed to preach hate against each other and so on and so forth. The print and electronic media of both countries under the influence of the security dominated mindset again propagate hate and chest thumping is frequent phenomenon.
Efforts for peace between both countries at large scale mostly remains restricted to achieving limited business objectives by few elite who are in turn the sole beneficiaries of such efforts. There is a genuine desire among the intelligentsia of both countries which share rich cultural traditions to mend fences. However, the "average Joes" of both countries led by respective fundamental nationalist forces are made to believe that any prospect of peace is impossible as the other side wants to drink their blood. It is not in the interests of the fundamentalist nationalist forces at both side to let any sort of peace through dialogue get through, as their bread and butter would be at stake if it happens. The situation allows for the hawks at both sides to thrive and doves can at best duck down and take the beating. It is always a bad idea to talk and promote peace by any individual or group belonging to either India and Pakistan due to the distorted perceptions being promoted by the said fundamental nationalist forces on both sides. These forces are very powerful on both sides of the borders and well entrenched in their respective security establishments. They are capable of escalating any minor bilateral conflict into a battle of words and weapons and possess armed wings to hold their influence. It greatly helps politicians at both sides in general to play blame game and point fingers at the rival state as it greatly helps them to deviate the attention of the masses from the real issues they are facing due to the corruption and incompetence of the same politicians. In the meantime, the youth of both countries continue attacking each other on the web and all sort of social media forums under the influence of the said, false and distorted perspectives. Under the current Hindu nationalist government of Mr Modi in India, this hate mongering has seen new highs.
Both India and Pakistan together forms the main bulk of South Asian region. The majority of the population in both countries live in poverty with none to low access to social and essential services for example provision of healthcare and even clean drinking water. The world bank in its 2015 review of South Asia notes the following :-
" poverty in the region remains high. About 399 million people—40 percent of the world’s poor—live on less than $1.25 a day. More than 200 million people live in slums, and half a billion people go without electricity. Many countries in the region suffer from extreme forms of social exclusion and huge infrastructure gaps, and the larger countries are experiencing increases in inequality. Development in the region will be key to meeting global poverty and prosperity goals".
The same report further notes:
"South Asia will play an important role in the global development story as it takes its place in the Asian Century. It has the world’s largest working-age population, a quarter of the world’s middle-class consumers, the largest number of poor and undernourished in the world, and several fragile states of global geopolitical importance. With inclusive growth, South Asia has the potential to change global poverty".
For the projections in the above report to take effect in true sense, India foremost and Pakistan as well need to realize the importance of peace while maintaining their security apparatuses but not directed at each other. There is no conflict on earth which can not be solved by bilateral negotiations under neutral mediators. But it must be noted that, any such idea may only be realized if and when the "distorted perceptions" against each other by both Indians and Pakistanis are challenged, questioned and openly debated with as much flare, as the hawks spit their fire.......
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