Geopolitics

Solution to J & K problem lies in New Delhi...
Star Rating Loader Please wait...
Issue Net Edition | Date : 18 May , 2013

J&K is an integral part of India.  The only problem that can be called J&K Problem is the non- comprehension by India, its people and the government to this ultimate truth of its being the integral part of India and not distinct or separate entity in any way from the other states of India.  The problem that would remain to be settled then is the need to free the areas of J&K illegally occupied by Pakistan and China.  Once this fact is understood and fully comprehended by us, all else will fall in place.

It is proposed to discuss this very complex and muddled up situation, erroneously called “The Jammu & Kashmir Problem”, as under:

  • Strategic Importance of J&K
  • The Problem and its historic Mishandling
  • Solution

Strategic Importance of J&K 

The illegally occupied part of J&K by Pakistan is in two parts, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (the so called Azad Kashmir by Pakistan) and Gilgit- Baltistan(GB) (earlier called the Northern Areas).  China is in possession of Akshai Chin and the Shaksgam valley illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963.

J&K forms the head of the Indian sub continent, and has been the traditional  trade route of Central and South Asia to the East and Tibet, generally called the ‘Silk Route’.  It is bounded by more countries than any other state of India;  in the North East with Tibet, and further North with Xinjiang province of China, in the North West with the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan, in the West with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and further South with Punjab of Pakistan. This geographic layout is strategically so important that no power of the world wants to remain away from the area, as it gives them access to the sensitive areas of the neighbouring countries.. Its high mountains provide strategic depth and domination over the surrounding area. For hundreds of years in the past, the Russian, Persian, Chinese, Tibetan and the British Indian empires, sought the passes of this region to dominate each other. The region rests along “the ancient axis of Asia” where South, Central and East Asia converge and, since time immemorial, has been the gateway for both India and China to Central Asia.

The maps below show the geo strategic location and its dominating position.

Distorted Pak map: Erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir showing illegal occupation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan by Pakistan and Shaksgam and Akshai Chin by China The map is not accurate for boundaries, particularly the alignment of the line shown to Karakorum pass, leaving Siachin glacier in Pak occupied territory.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir consists of  two  parts, one that is with India and the other that is under the occupation of Pakistan and China.  The part with India  consists of  three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladakh.  While the Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu’s numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year. Ladakh, is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture. The illegally occupied part of J&K by Pakistan is in two parts, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (the so called Azad Kashmir by Pakistan) and Gilgit- Baltistan(GB) (earlier called the Northern Areas).  China is in possession of Akshai Chin and the Shaksgam valley illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963.

The “high roof of the world” , the Gilgit-Baltistan and the Ladakh region of the pre-independence  state of Jammu and Kashmir  is geo- strategically very  important. This region lies between the high Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges to its north and the Western Himalayas to its immediate south, with  the Kashmir Vale and the Jammu region further South.  The strategic importance of J&K can be understood from the fact that China is spending huge sums to build infrastructure through highways connecting Tibet to Xinjiang through the Chinese occupied Akshai Chin plateau, and Xinjiang to Pakistan via the Karakorum highway through the Kunzreb pass.  This highway then connects Gwadar port on the Arabian sea, giving warm water port and access to the Indian Ocean to China.  Its importance can be visualized in that China trade can avoid the bottleneck of Malacca straits as also cuts down turn round to the interior provinces of China.  China is now in de facto control of the GB area.  It is believed to have deployed more than ten thousand troops for the purpose of developing infrastructure in the area.  It is also believed that Pakistan is to lease the GB area to China for 50 years under the pretext of developing the area.

The strategic importance of J&K thus can be understood that now we face two enemies on our borders at a point where we are the weakest and have the maximum to lose, having already lost nearly 50% of the erstwhile J&K princely state through aggression by Pakistan in 1947 and then China in the 50s and 1962.Strategic importance of J&K is also to be understood from the point of view of strategic and valuable mineral deposits in the area, particularly in the GB and Ladakh area.  It is surmised that GB area is rich in uranium deposits, besides  great potential of hydro electric works.

It is unfortunate that the government of India took this area to be “Where not a blade of grass grows”  That is where lies the problem, not understanding the Strategic Importance and correctly relating it to National Security.  We have thus been so manoeuvred that we face two enemies on our most vulnerable area with the least developed infrastructure, with the result that to thwart the design of these two hyenas on our door step, we find ourselves sandwiched with extremely poor logistics backing.  Today we are faced with a situation in Daulat Beg Oldie Area with Chinese having entered 19 Km into our territory and claiming it as theirs.  We are face to face with disaster awaiting us as the only logistics backing with us is an airstrip at DBO with no worthwhile  land route from Leh onwards.  And even upto Leh we are dependent on the fair weather route via Zojila pass.  The alternate route from Manali to Upsi in Ladakh is still waiting the Rohtang pass tunnel to be built.

The Problem and its historic Mishandling

The problem of J&K can be summarized under the  heads; J&K called ‘disputed territory’ ‘Article 370’, the ‘over dominance of Kashmir  over the other areas’ and ‘Political indifference’ at the State and Centre government.

UN resolution of 1948, which is cited by most adversaries of India, deals only with the aggression by Pakistan and not its accession to India. Accession is legal in every way and cannot be disputed.

Disputed Territory

UN resolution of 1948, which is cited by most adversaries of India, deals only with the aggression by Pakistan and not its accession to India. Accession is legal in every way and cannot be disputed.  Similarly the so called “Two Nation Theory”, under whose umbrella Pakistan was formed,  applied only to British ruled India and not the princely states, and hence a state being Muslim majority did not disqualify it from joining Indian Union.  In the same context, referendum in J&K is illegal as it was not agreed by Muslim League to hold referendum in princely states but left to their rulers to accede to India or Pakistan, contiguity being a criteria for the same.  Thus the only dispute that remains is the vacation of the aggression by Pakistan and the areas illegally ceded to China by Pakistan  Government of India has to thus base its relations with Pakistan and China on that theme

Article 370

This is a self imposed gridlock that gives  no advantage to India internationally, or to the state internally.  Internationally this shows that J&K is different and not a part of India and any country can raise the status of J&K in international fora, as very often done by Islamic countries.  As for  internally for the state of J&K itself, it puts it at a disadvantage in development and other fields, as private financiers are not keen to invest there due to the restrictions of ownership.  Besides, psychologically its people find themselves at a disadvantage when working in other parts of India.  Article 370 and the policy followed through its propagation is the most glaring example of appeasement of the national minority of Muslims  and the subjugation of the state minority of Hindus.  No nation can have two laws and rules for national citizenship.  On the other side in the illegal POK and GB, Pakistan has been encouraging its Punjabi Wahabi elements to settle in and control the area.  Its demographic profile is totally altered.

One of the myths that needs to be broken is that “Kashmir is J&K”, because it is actually only a small part of it – 7% to be exact of the J&K Princely state and about 15% of the J&K with India.

Over dominance of Kashmir

One of the myths that needs to be broken is that “Kashmir is J&K”, because it is actually only a small part of it – 7% to be exact of the J&K Princely state and about 15% of the J&K with India. Even the saying that “From Kashmir to Kanyakumari”  is not correctly worded because Kashmir is not the Northernmost part of India; Ladakh is. And as per the official Indian map, Gilgit and Aksai Chin are the Northernmost parts, none of these being part of Kashmir.  Even ‘Azad Kashmir’ PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) is not Kashmir. In the same way the Kashmiri Muslim is not in majority in J&K, when we take non Kashmiri Muslims in the other parts of J&K into account, from Ladakh and Jammu region.  In fact Indian Army’s advance into present POK in 1948 was said to have been halted on the advice of Sheikh Abdullah to Pandit  Jwaharlal  Nehru that the areas beyond were not Kashmiris.  And yet J&K politics is all centered round Kashmir and the Kashmiris.  All Chief Ministers have been Kashmiri with bulk of the state and national funding being spent on Kashmir valley.   The other two parts, Jammu and Ladakh have a grievance on that and rightly so.  Ladakh has been demanding Union territory status and Jammu as separate state.

The misfortune is that in all this fight we forget the other two parts of J&K, namely POK and GB.  Today they are raising their voice to ask India to liberate them and fight for their human rights that have been denied to them by Pakistan.  The only symbolic gesture India makes is to keep a few vacant seats in their name in the state assembly.  This is sheer tokenism and nothing more.  Their demand that as the elections can not be held in POK & GB, some of them should be nominated and allowed to put across the problems of these areas, as also raise these in international fora.  They also demand that their children should be given reservation in schools and institutions of higher learning in J&K as rightfully they are citizens of J&K living under the heels of Pakistan army.

The other part, Aksai Chin and the Shaksgam valley illegally occupied by China is not even considered by us in any discussion within or with the Chinese.  Our thrust remains to demarcate the border in this area.  The areas thus conceded is over 38,000 Sq Km in Aksai Chin and nearly 5,000 Sq Km in Shaksgam Valley.

Political Indifference at the State and Centre Government

We fail to perceive this as the first battle by Pakistan to the ultimate jehadi war in India.

Somehow the impression is gaining ground that the State and Centre are not very keen to bring the problem under control.  It is voiced by many experts that it suits the State government, whichever party in power, to continue providing tacit and covert support to the separatists,  jehadi and the Pak supported elements, and milk the centre for resources.  Scapegoats are easily found to pass on the blame for non governance and inaction.  Security forces and the AFSPA is easily exploited for this.  No firm action is taken against the separatists, who espouse their cause freely and indulge in nefarious activities within and abroad.  Terrorism and violence is treated as the right of the people to indulge in.  As Pakistan is considered a party to the dispute, its political interference, terrorist acts and inciting people to violence is taken as legitimate right of Pakistan.  We fail to perceive this as the first battle by Pakistan to the ultimate jehadi war in India.  We have failed to assert our right to ‘hot pursuit’, to strike at training camps across the border  and to block all propaganda and contacts that spread discontent.  Here we are not only a ‘soft state’ but a ‘failed state’ that refuses to protect its legitimate national rights. 

The historic Blunders  of J&K Problem

J&K has been one series of monumental blunders by Indian government.  First we let Lord Mountbatten to unilaterally write to Maharaja Hari Singh for a referendum later when no such condition was desired by him, or stipulated in the ‘Accession Treaty’  We  stopped the advance of Indian army to liberate POK and GB areas in 1948 and instead took the matter to the UN.  The western powers were just looking for such an opportunity to have a say in the most strategic area that dominated the underbelly of China and USSR

To declare special status under a special article 370 of the constitution, thereby making J&K psychologically and physically different and separate, thus hindering its effective integration into the Indian Union

To declare special status under a special article 370 of the constitution, thereby making J&K psychologically and physically different and separate, thus hindering its effective integration into the Indian Union

Recognition of Chinese suzerainty over Tibet in 1950 and withdrawal of our military posts from Lhasa and Yatung were to bring China on to our northern borders  and open up another front to guard. But that was not the end of this flawed China policy, we indulged in daydreaming of Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai and neglected our defence.  Result was the shameful debacle of 1962.  It has rightly been called the ‘Himalayan Blunder’  But the most shameful act was the acceptance of the ceasefire, unilaterally declared by the Chinese, and not preparing to fight back.  After all nations have suffered tactical reverses, but they did not necessarily become strategic defeats.  During WWII British army was down and out at Dunkirk and had to evacuate European main land, but it came back after four years to defeat the Germans.  Similarly Singapur was lost in 1942, but the British Indian Army went back and defeated the Japanese.  Why have we accepted the 1962 debacle as final and never even lay claim to our lost land from the aggressor.  If on the Republic Day in 1963, instead of weeping over our tactical defeat and singing “Aye Mere Watan ke logo , jara aankh mein bhar lo pani’  we had roused the nation and sung Netaji Subhash Bose INA song of “Kadam kadam barhai ja, Khushi ke geet gaye ja, Yeh  jindgi hai kom ki, tu Kom par mitae ja”, perhaps we would have been a different nation today

In 1965 Pakistan was emboldened after having acquired latest arms and ammunition from the USA under the Baghdad Pact (later CENTO) and seen the state of Indian army devastated by the Chinese in 1962 to take advantage of the historic opportunity and launched ‘Operation Gibraltor’ to liberate J&K and later captured some areas of Chhamb Jaurian in Jammu region. Indian Army fought back ‘ with whatever they had’ and managed to blunt the Pakistan offensive in Punjab and Jammu region.  Our major achievement was in the Kashmir sector where we captured Haji Pir Pass that links Uri and Poonch. Unfortunately India gave it back to Pakistan at the Tashkent meet.  The army calls it ”A War won on the battlefield but lost on the negotiating table”

1971 is a glorious chapter in the annals of Indian military history.  We created history by liberating a nation and decisively defeating the Pakistan army on the battlefield, capturing 93,000 PWs.  No greater victory could be asked for. Alas, we squandered the victory at Shimla where Indira Gandhi fell to the false promises of smooth talking ZA Bhutto, and the old story repeated itself.  We won the war on the battlefield, but lost it on the negotiating table.

Under the threat of the bomb, Pakistan was able to put Punjab on fire and later J&K

In 1974 our scientists did India proud by making the bomb and demonstrating it at Pokhran.  Alas, we again fell under the threat of USA and disassembled all the infrastructure for the same, but having alerted Pakistan who went all out to acquire the bomb through any means. He succeeded in making one in 1985, while we remained without one for a much longer period.  Under the threat of the bomb, Pakistan was able to put Punjab on fire and later J&K.  Our much stronger armed forces now were immediately unable to react to this new kind of warfare that had surfaced in the subcontinent.  Fortunately in 1998 India got a government that looked to the security of the nation first and all else later, under the leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.  We reasserted ourselves at Pokhran II.

Solution

The solution to the J&K problem does not lie in Srinagar or in Pakistan and China.  It squarely and appropriately lies in New Delhi.

Solution lies in the words and teachings of our ancient sages and Rishis. Swami Vivekananda said that “Shakti” is the power that builds the nation and without it the nation is enslaved.  He asked, ‘Why is it that our country is the weakest- because ‘Shakti’ is held in dishonor here’  This he had said over a century ago, but unfortunately, it is true even today. ‘Shakti means national power to influence events in the interest of the nation.  This Shakti flows out of economic strength, social harmony, people educated and dedicated to national cause, and most importantly  military strength.  However, the crucial element of the national ‘Shakti’ is the national leadership that is able to harness all this power and bring it to bear in national  interest.

The strategic solution lies in breaking the unholy nexus between China and Pakistan by, firstly vigorously claiming POK and GB areas, supporting the population to fight the occupation forces, and by breaking the China link to the Arabian sea through Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan.  The democratic voice of Pakhtoons for Pakhtoonistan encompassing areas South and East of defunct Durand line must be supported.  Similarly the human rights violations, in fact genocide,  of the Baloch people struggle for democracy in their province must be taken up at international arena and supported

Conclusion

As a veteran,  I feel saddened when I find that the leadership pays no heed to the security of our  nation.  Jammu & Kashmir has been the hunting ground of both, China and Pakistan and we have treated it as a dispute and an internal law and order problem.  I do not advocate war as the only solution.  But with the changing dimensions of warfare ranging from nuclear, cyber, space to proxy war, we need to devise new ways and means to be one step ahead of the enemy. Pakistan has been at war with India since Oct 1947, and China since 1950 when it occupied Tibet, yet we failed to recognize the enemy and his modus operandi on both fronts. In between active war operations, they carry on proxy war with ‘thousand cuts’, supporting insurgency in J&K and the North East   Mao tse Tung said that ‘Diplomacy flows out of the barrel of a gun’ In this ‘Dog eat dog’ world, it is no good making diplomatic overtures and resting on assurances on paper that are not worth the paper they are written on.

India must not accept China intrusion into J&K or any other area passively, but must counter with well planned and calibrated Indian moves along the border into tactically and strategically sensitive areas to China at the time of our choosing.

How many times Pakistan has made promises and never kept them. How the Chinese have been treating us and claiming Arunachal Pradesh and all Aksai Chin. Their intentions are clear, only we fail to see it that way, with the result that today India is widely perceived as being unable to handle external or internal challenges ranging from terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. being snubbed by Maldives, leave alone dealing with an assertive China, which has no qualms in blocking India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and undermining India’s influence in Asia  The answer lies in building friendship bridges across Asia Pacific region with Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, USA and other smaller countries by extending economic and military help to them.  Besides, India must not accept China intrusion into J&K or any other area passively, but must counter with well planned and calibrated Indian moves along the border into tactically and strategically sensitive areas to China at the time of our choosing.  The latest intrusion into Depsang valley in Ladakh is a very clever move by China. It wants to bargain for a settlement in Aksai Chin but keep Arunachal Pradesh open.  The solution does not lie in negotiating border settlement in the West alone, as that will seal the fate of Aksai Chin for ever, leaving India no bargaining power in the North East

So how long shall we keep living in fools’ paradise.  Awake my countrymen, your country is threatened, both externally and internally, and unfortunately your so called democratically elected government at present is fast asleep, content in its ‘appeasement policy’ internally and externally.  Unless a country is militarily strong, no one will respect you, and all the economic gains will be for someone else to enjoy. Let not history of the past seven hundred years repeat itself.

Rate this Article
Star Rating Loader Please wait...
The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Indian Defence Review.

About the Author

Lt Gen NS Malik

former Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army

More by the same author

Post your Comment

2000characters left

37 thoughts on “Solution to J & K problem lies in New Delhi…

  1. Dear sir, we as residents of j&k know that views expressed are a fallout of the hindu fundamentalist.
    Y dnt u honour the promise of ur pm for upholding Peblicite.
    U by these policies are pushing the peace loving people of j&k towards Pakistan .

  2. Through and in-depth analysis of the situation we are in. Its unfortunate that wrong tactical moves led our country to where we are standing today. The only solution which comes in my mind is that if we can somehow hold on to the present areas under our control firmly and not let the incidences like, killing of terrorist Burhan Wani being mishandled by media and somehow getting rid of Hurriyat leaders who blackmail our government to extort money.

  3. Excellent Description from start till the solution . As Title itself define where is the solution . However this is not happening we need to be fast indeed very fast otherwise one day will think why didn’t we moved fast and took corrective or I would say diplomatic actions on time.

    I know Indian Army are strength and will remain why don’t we have Army personnel joining the external affairs or being a part of Government politics. I don’t think there are any harm we need more and more personals from army to join politics as they are “all for one and one for all” .Thanks and salutes to general Malik

    Jai Hind

  4. wonderfull short article ., i ever saw on the topic . it should include some maps of 1947 – 48 war and 65 hazi peer pass ,, when king of kj left jk and why should also be ncluded. my salutes to general malik

  5. Thank you for this wonderful article Sir.. A great insight into our country’s past and the present situation in j and k.. Very rightfully stated regarding the retaliatory measures and just sticking to talks and blindly believing that the paper holds the solution.. It may, but we can’t afford the time and as the saying goes justice delayed is justice denied.. Before we know it the aksai chin and shaksgam area might permanently be taken control of by China if we don’t act now..

  6. Excellent diagnostic report on national security n its chequered growth from lost oportunities in treating some glaring internal n iexternal defects and political mishandling with national strength n self esteem. Where Karma is the only answer n is not done or is just pretended to have been done by proxy, it only amounts to feeding the fools paradice. Knowing well the scenario of national health within n enemy stance at ever national border any ostrich attitude n lack of strong national opinion to act will surely going to prove ass self annahilating n self suicidal.
    If political masters r failing in their leadership n act as blinded statesmen then Indian huge demographic youth n strong willed nationals must unify to bring this desperate question of India’s security n national order on the democratic roads of this vast country. Even if it’s emotional solidarity with the nation the let it March openly to become the only pursuit for national cause with defenite definable n quiche results.
    वीर भोग्या वसुन्धरा ।
    Namaste
    Jai Hind

  7. I do not share the sadness. I feel angry with India’s “leadership”. If such erudition, arithmetic, integrity, etiquette, Hygiene, alacrity, assiduity and competence challenged pusillanimous Kleptocrats can be called so.

  8. And to think I was the only one who saw that way. Very well written. Fully agree. For mistakes of our leaders in the past, India must now work twice as hard to drive the enemies out of India. We must also help Tibetans to regain their land. China has no border with India or Pakistan. They should be shunted out by their own Mao’s diplomacy out of the barrel of the gun.

  9. Sir:

    I am now an independent journalist and researcher.
    Yours is one of the best inside prespectives I have come across. Every indiviual resspective of race has the right to development. My recent visit to Poonch was not at all satisfactory as far dvelopment is concerned. You are very correct. All matters seem to start and end with Kashmir as if no territory exists beyond its limits.

  10. I am astonished and deeply gratified that at last a senior Indian military has stated the obvious about “Kashmir”, actually JKL. This is a theme on which I have talked myself hoarse for four decades.

    I’d like to add only 1 point. NWFP Assembly voted for India in 1947, but was not permitted to accede because it was not contiguous. But it was very much contiguous because JKL acceded to India. Similarly, Balochistan did not want to join Pakistan. And it happens to be contiguous to NWFP.

    The reality is there was no justification for creation of Pakistan. Nehru did not get the mandate from the people of India to divide the country. The whole affair was a shady backroom deal between the British, Nehru, and Jinnah, with zero legitimacy. Moreover, an agreement forced on a colonized state cannot be held valid if the state, on becoming independent, chooses not to abide with it.

    India needs not just to repudiate Article 370, it needs to repudiate the Partition of India Act 1947.

  11. Its a very old problem. As per the problem studied by me following can be probable solution.
    1. Looking to humanity & wish of people of Kashmir solution can be as given below
    2. Laddak & Jammu region do not have any problem to be with India.
    3. Kashmir valley though a Muslim majority , all Muslim do not want to join Pakistan.
    4. In POK all Muslim population may not support Pakistan as condition of Muslim in India is better than Pakistan.
    5.So In Kashmir valley lets found out how many Muslim want to be with India & how many are with pakistan
    6. In POK also lets find out how many Muslim want to be with Pakistan & how many want to be with India.
    7. This survey to be carried by independent agency without any interference from India & Pakistan.
    8. What LOC is today exist should be declared permanent boundaries
    9. All the Muslim in POK & Kashmir Valley to be exchanged as per their voating wishes.
    10 . Now all Muslim community got what they want.
    11 Further Indian Kashmir to be merge with India & become regular state as other states & POK should become part of Pakistan.
    I Think this is the best solution to satisfy people of Kashmir .

    • There is no need of a referendum because J&K was Ceded to India by the immediate, preceding Hindu King / Ruler of J&K , thought the majority was muslims. It’s upto our discretion to decide the faith of J&K . Problem #2 is , it has been conventional For pakistan to promote terror activities from across the Border to india , demanding J&K only because majority are Muslims . If this is so , tomorrow they’ll even ask for kerala , Karnataka which in my opinion i feel there is no need to go ahead with referendum but cease the whole POK as well . There is no need to mention about pakistan at all who has no legal Right over that domicile . Let them think and do as they wish , Our guns will handle them … jai hind!

  12. India should stop even mention of pakistan. Niether for humanitarian or aid related cause. We should also cancel MFN status to pakistan and also stop exports or smuggling of food and other items like patato or onion. And also items sent to kashmir should be at the price which is at par with POK prices. We should assume that for us pakistan cease to exist and no discussion regarding turmoil or problems or relations in/with pakistan should be covered by media. It should be placed like any other small neighbour which never get indian attention unless something big happens. Once this media scrutiny is gone we could always get even in a way of our choice. It may be noted that you cant win over m…… by way of appeasement or reward. CANE IS NEEDED TO TAME THEM

  13. Kashmir is not illegally occupied by Kashmir. It was given to Pakistan by Radcliffe Awards because of the Muslim majority. But India occupied it illegally. Kashmiris don’t want to be with India. They either want to be a part of Pakistan or they want to be free. Whenever Pakistan talks about Kashmir issue with Indian prime minister, border clashes broke out to sabotage the discussion. No one can deny the Kashmiri’s right to decide what they want to be or who they want to be with. They are a Muslim state. Jammu & Kashmir is illegally occupied by Indians and Indian army kills Kashmiris. Kashmiri’s celebrate Pakistan independence day and they make protests on Indian independence day. India should stop calling Pakistan an enemy and move on. Pakistani’s don’t have time to fight they are busy saving their economy. Pakistan army is strengthened not to attack India, but to defend its borders from India or any other country who becomes dangerous. Pakistan and India should realize what Kashmiris want and should bravely accept who occupied Kashmir illegally in the first place and move on. They should stop illegally occupying each others lands just for strategic purposes and make themselves stronger legally and gracefully.

  14. The problem is gifted by the first Prime Minister. In his book “Government from Inside” by Mr. NV Gadgil (Minister in Nehru Cabinet), the author quoted Sardar Patel that after Partition, there was only one Nationalist Muslim left in India, and he was Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru had weakness for Communism and communists. Krishna Menon, General PN Thapar and Nehru ensured that India did not talk tough with Pak and China. The over dependence of Congress on the Communists from supporting VV Giri for Presidentship in 1969 onwards had resulted in handing over 93000 POWs to Bhutto without exchanging with POK, so as to keep the issue of JK unresolved. Communists from 2004 to 2008 pressurized GOI to deplete iron ore resources by exporting to China for 2008 Olympics, and tried to destabilize PM Singh in 2008 when he proposed Indo-US nuclear deal. The Indian Left are pro-Chinese, pro-Taliban and committed anti-Indians who occupy disproportionate space in TV and print media. These elements should be defanged and banished for ever, to ensure preservation and protection of Indian interests.

  15. Article 370 was the most divisive idea of the foolish minds who were entrusted with the writing of the constitution. India today is reaping the misfortunes. Pakistan and China will continue to terrorize, brutalize and marginalize a nation of 1.2 billions because article 370 is the excuse for terrorism in Kashmir. The first priority for India is to remove article 370 for the sake of national unity and security. This is an internal matter for India and no foreign nation can have any say. The people of Kashmir must be treated under the same constitution with individual freedom and rights as the rest of the nation. There is no basis for creating a separate status for a state of India that is one of the most strategic part of the nation in terms of defense, water resources and national boundaries.

  16. Dear Lt Gen NS Malik,

    Thank you very much for this article. Indeed, it is agonizing that we considered the 1962 defeat final and are silent on the loss of our territories! On the contrary, China never forgets asking a foreign government to reaffirm the pro-China stances in bilateral documents, such as “Taiwan is a part of China” , or one-China policy, and the like. Similarly, the loss of PoK and GB is so painful! The song goes: “is desh ko rakhna mere baccho sambhal ke”. It is long back that we failed to keep our nation intact. Our forefathers, as back as the spiritual era of Indian sages, bequeathed a healthy, spiritual and vast India, with numerous ancient inventions and marvelous philosophical texts, but we messed it up!

  17. Then why the Indian map is showing the old diagram in ll the places….. take out that and show this new one….. and make people aware that its all been occupied by China and pakisthan….Worst 58yrs of congress….. no one have dare to talk…… Atleast take out this 370 article rule … so this state will get developed… and they can concentrate on tourism…… its just getting barren land because of this stupid laws……

  18. India should divide J&K state into three separate states. 1)Ladhak and Zanskar valley, 2)Jammu extending from Kathua to Batote and 3) the Kashmir valley. Discard article 370 of the constitution for Ladhak and Jammu states. Let the Kashmir state retain the article 370. This approach will result in : 1) complete and total Integration of non-muslim majority areas of Jammu and Ladhak into the Indian union, 2) put an end to the policies of muslim dominated Govt. of J&K state that are intended to deliberately change the demographics of Jammu and ladhak areas. Case in point being Doda and Kishtawar, 3) put an end to the discrimination that non-muslim population of the state face 4) Rapid economic development of the non-Muslim majority areas of the state 5) better security atmosphere for the area.

    • Unfortunate to read the minds of intelectuals who are trying the mingle the humanitarian issue. Can you deny the brutal attitude of indian armies towards Kashmiris.
      Find a solution like Est Timur, scotlandl and or Qubec did.

  19. Dear Respected Sh. Malik Saheb;

    Really an eye opening details on Indian borders and International scenario with our worst handling of the suo moto situations created by the defaulters, well known from time immortal of Indian History.

    We feel time has come for required corrections in our Stand,thoughts and execution. Let us unite, the feeling of the masses must reach to our soldiers without any distortion and delay by so called politicians and well wishers of the reverse.

    Hope I made it clear. God bless all of us and let the conscience prevail.

    with best of regards, Jai Hind! and Bande Mataram!

  20. Dear Lt Gen Malik,

    Well written facts and solutions, which the sleeping Indian government needs to be made aware of to act on the probelm with urgency and puit an end to the pak Chinise intrusions into our country.

    I strongly agree with you on the failure of the congress government each time they have ruled the country. Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the only PM who was clear that National security comes first before anything else and he proved it during Kargil war.

    My thought: I regard our military forces with utmost respect. All the 3 forces and the BSF can join hands to raise the voice against the inaction of the government in solving the border issues of the country and force the government strongly to take action immediately and ofcourse the military will surely support the cause as they know the border issue facts well and they are the true heroes protecting our country. Or give the military the decision making power in national secruity issues if the government cannot act on the border disputes. I am sure the military wont disappoint the nation.

    Cheers
    Rupa

  21. My late father a WWII war hero said later in life after decades of Congress shenanigans: Indian’s are gene encoded for servitude. Weep not General the vast majority of Indian’s are “dumb driven cattle” (in Gandhi’s words) and will willingly go to slaughter under the watchful eye of the Congress and Leftist parties.

  22. Article 370 was the most divisive idea of the foolish minds who were entrusted with the writing of the constitution. India today is reaping the misfortunes. Pakistan and China will continue to terrorize, brutalize and marginalize a nation of 1.2 billions because the nation is leaderless and article 370 is the excuse for terrorism in Kashmir. The first priority for India is to remove article 370 for the sake of national unity and security. This is an internal matter for India and no foreign nation can have any say. The people of Kashmir must be treated under the same constitution with individual freedom and rights as the rest of the nation. There is no basis for creating a separate status for a state of India that is one of the most strategic part of the nation in terms of defense, water source and national boundaries.

  23. My my point of view, China wants to slow and weaken India by taking over regions that if controlled by India would make it an advantage over China on both economic and social welfare. For this reason China is employing tactics that will weaken what it feels is it’s strongest challenger in Asia in terms of development and economic status because many people will prefer doing business with India and start leaving China. That’s why China is trying very hard to prevent people from turning their focus on India. In addition if there is instability in India the one to benefit most is China among the other Asian countries.

  24. Great article! The only solution for long term peace is to reunify India. This can be done through military means only, overt and covert. India should strength its military on a war footing. Our military should be ready for a multi-front war with both China, Pakistan and other countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma and possibly Bangladesh. The aim of the military should be reunify India. Even if it means nuclear war, we should go for the kill. Pakistan should be annexed and reunified. Tibet and Xinjiang (East Turkistan) should be liberated and main land China should be attacked on a massive scale. Tibet should be given an option to join the Indian union. Tibet is very important from a strategic point of view. It is also key to ensure long term water security for millions of Indians. Further a pacifist Tibet will be reoccupied by another power if we don’t protect it. Once Tibet joins the Indian union, Nepal and Bhutan will followup suit. Bangladesh and Burma should also be annexed, along with Sri Lanka and Maldives. This can be done through covertly, like in the case of Sikkim. However this can be done only if the military is active in protecting the nation’s interest and not scumb to political incompentency. The military should remember that the nation’s security is more important than the nation’s constitution. The military should shed its inter services rivalry, welcome the appointment of a CDS and Theater commanders. Further they should synergies their resources for effective fighting.

More Comments Loader Loading Comments