Re: India 'financed problems' for Pakistan via Afghanistan: Chuck Hagel
Well, if accession is of the table, then so is complete independence. I think its equally unlikely to see an entirely independent Kashmir as neither side will ever accept that, as much as the Kashmiris would want that for themselves.
However, emotional investment does exist, and it sounds irrelevant in the context of this humble forum, but when your talking about the identity of a nation, then its highly relevant. There is cultural, religious affinity with the people of Kashmir. There is a reason the injustice committed in Kashmir resonates with the people of Pakistan. And so long as the issue remains, there will always remain resentment towards India that will manifest itself in the form of terrorist attacks or LOC confrontation from last month.
Despite this, Pakistan I believe has realized that ultimately its interest is in amicable relations with India, hence the rapproachment that has existed since the 90's. However, as is abundantly clear, the Kashmir issue is always the thorn in the side of relations.
lets not fool ourselves, the animosity exists today, its because of Kashmir. Even the loss of East Pakistan hasnt created the same level of resentment. Emotional or not, it is what it is. And emotionality is not a South Asian trait, the world is full of such examples, is there no emotion involved in the Palestinian Israeli conflict, the problem with North Korea, and was there no emotion involved in the Cold war or Vietnam etc?!?!
Well I beg to differ, I am a Muslim but I do not share a cultural affinity with the average Pakistani. I have met a few on my travels abroad but to me they might as well be North Korean. I share a greater cultural affinity with Christians in Goa, Jews in Thane and HIndus along the Konkan coast.
As far as religious affinity goes, I do not think that exists. I do not see Christians in India get riled up for injustices met to Christians in say Bolivia, or the Philippines.
Similarly I believe that Pakistani Sindhi's, Baluchis or Punjabi's do not share a cultural affinity with Kashmiris, even tough they may practice the same religion, and are better off looking after themselves than picking up cudgels on behalf of co-religionists elsewhere.
What Pakistan needs to do is back off a bit, accept the status quo on the LOC, get tough with terror groups operating on their soil, and in due course of time wounds will heal and India and Pakistan can have meaningful, normal relations, which is what is needed most of all.