The Peace Process and Prospects for Economic Reconstruction in Kashmir

Abstract The main argument of this paper is that the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan provides enough space to carry on development activities in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It further argues that development activities can continue in a conflict zone, thus letting the conflict situation gradually subside as, among many other factors, poverty and underdevelopment are a cause of violence. Violence has affected the development scenario in the state of J&K, thereby not only discouraging private investment, but also creating obstacles in effective implementation of the developmental policies initiated by public authorities. However, with the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and with concomitant initiatives such as opening of the traditional intra-Kashmir routes, the hope for a durable and sustainable development in the state has gained ground, along with a renewed hope for peace

Multiethnic and pluralist states here to stay

Pluralist states are a legitimate form of state organisation. Yet, do we properly understand the viability of this form of state structure in the twenty first century? This article unravels the values inherent in multiethnic and pluralistic states and the source of their legitimacy

Kashmir as a Protracted Social Conflict: Examining the Role of Non-State Actors in the Policymaking Process

Previous scholarship on Kashmir conflict has largely focused on exploring external and internal causes of the conflict. This research explores the changing nature of vertical engagement of the Indian state and the marginalized people of Kashmir on its side of the de facto border by focusing on the state initiatives for conflict management. It seeks to resolve the question: What are the nature, scope and impact of the interactions between the Kashmiri traders and the policymakers of India, and with what implications for the conflict? Drawing from the theories of protracted social conflicts and pressure groups, it conducts a qualitative inquiry utilizing responses to in-depth interviews with 23 Kashmiri traders and 14 state officials, combined with content analysis of selected newspapers to investigate the vertical conflictual relationship between the traders and the policymakers. The results indicate that this organized group of gainers prefers constructive engagement over conflictual relations with the state. The cross-border trade, announced by the Indian state as an initiative to address the needs of the alienated Kashmiri community, has not been effective to ameliorate tensions. The organized pressure of traders to impact policymaking on the trade has produced limited results as the state appears interested in sustaining trade as a strategy rather than a policy to address the needs of Kashmiris. The research concludes that although Indian state policy has addressed the economic needs of the marginalized and aided the process of conflict management, it has not effectively addressed identity-related demands, which are more crucial for the management of a protracted social conflict such as in Kashmir

The Peace Process and Prospects for Economic Reconstruction in Kashmir

Abstract The main argument of this paper is that the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan provides enough space to carry on development activities in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It further argues that development activities can continue in a conflict zone, thus letting the conflict situation gradually subside as, among many other factors, poverty and underdevelopment are a cause of violence. Violence has affected the development scenario in the state of J&K, thereby not only discouraging private investment, but also creating obstacles in effective implementation of the developmental policies initiated by public authorities. However, with the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and with concomitant initiatives such as opening of the traditional intra-Kashmir routes, the hope for a durable and sustainable development in the state has gained ground, along with a renewed hope for peace