18-06-2023 ; According to former spymaster A S Dulat, the era of separatism in Kashmir is essentially over, and he believes there is a need to initiate dialogue with mainstream political parties in the region. Dulat, who served as an advisor on Jammu and Kashmir during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, also emphasized the importance of engaging in a dialogue with Pakistan.
Dulat stated in an interview that he believes separatism has become obsolete and has lost its relevance, similar to the abrogation of Article 370. He acknowledged the role of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, in Kashmiri politics but expressed concern about his continued house arrest. Dulat suggested that once Mirwaiz is allowed to participate in mainstream politics again, his course of action will become clear.
Regarding the resolution of the Kashmir issue, Dulat explained that while there may not have been a major problem in the first place, there will always be some form of issue. He stressed the importance of establishing an elected government, engaging in dialogue with the mainstream parties, conducting elections, and restoring statehood to facilitate a buffer for Delhi.
When asked about the impact of the situation in Pakistan on Kashmir, Dulat stated that he doesn’t believe there is any significant impact. He noted that even those who were once pro-Pakistan are now questioning its relevance due to the turmoil within Pakistan itself. However, he expressed concern about the growth of radicalization among the youth in Kashmir, emphasizing that it goes against the region’s historically open, liberal, Sufi, and Shaivite traditions.
Dulat acknowledged that terrorism has not completely disappeared from Jammu and Kashmir, as sporadic incidents continue to occur. However, he emphasized that the people of Kashmir yearn for peace and that the experiment of unrest in the region has failed. He also highlighted the blunder made by the Congress-led UPA government in not allowing Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to continue as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Regarding behind-the-scenes talks in Kashmir, Dulat stated that he is unaware of any ongoing discussions, as he has been out of the government for a long time. He acknowledged that each government handles the situation differently, citing his experiences working with former Prime Minister Vajpayee and subsequent leaders.
Dulat advocated for a positive response from India to Pakistan’s overtures, as he believes Islamabad is seeking to improve relations with New Delhi. He mentioned the positive development of the Pakistan cricket team visiting India for a cricket world cup match. He urged India to provide a way forward for Pakistan, considering the terrorism originating from there.
When discussing the involvement of an Afghan war veteran in a recent infiltration attempt in Kupwara, Dulat dismissed the possibility of Taliban involvement in the insurgency in Kashmir. He stated that the Taliban seeks recognition from India and does not have an interest in Kashmir. Dulat emphasized that the primary threat originates from Pakistan, not the Taliban.
In relation to the drone deal with the US, Dulat expressed his belief that it will not have any impact on Kashmir. He asserted that India is not at war with Kashmir and that the focus should remain on addressing the threat posed by Pakistan.