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Barack Obama's Kashmir thesis!

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C Raja Mohan Posted: Nov 03, 2008 at 1431 hrs IST
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Singapore, November 3:: As Obamamania grips much of the world, including India, the man who might become the next President of the United States has ideas on Jammu and Kashmir that should cause some concern to New Delhi.

Given its vastly improved relations with the United States and Pakistan, India has no reason to press the panic button. Yet it should be quickly flagging its concerns with the foreign policy team of Senator Barack Obama, should he be declared the Forty-fourth President of the United States on Tuesday night.

In an interview broadcast on MSNBC, Obama suggested that his administration would encourage India to solve the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan, so that Islamabad can better cooperate with the United States on Afghanistan. Obama’s definitive thesis comes in three parts.

“The most important thing we’re going to have to do with respect to Afghanistan is actually deal with Pakistan. And we’ve got to work with the newly elected Government there (Pakistan) in a coherent way that says, terrorism is now a threat to you. Extremism is a threat to you. We should — try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they (Pakistan) can stay focused not on India, but on the situation with those militants”. India entirely agrees with the first two elements but should strongly object to the third.

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Put simply, the Obama thesis says: the sources of Afghan instability are in Pakistan; those in turn are linked to Islamabad’s conflict with New Delhi, at the heart of which is Jammu and Kashmir.

For months now, New Delhi has been assessing Obama’s seeming hard-line towards Pakistan, including a threat to bomb terrorist bases there if Islamabad failed to act against the al-Qaida and the Taliban. India, however, has paid less attention to the carrot

Obama was offering Pakistan—American activism on Kashmir in return for credible cooperation in Afghanistan.

Obama’s remarks on Kashmir are by no means off the cuff. They have been remarkably consistent since he launched his presidential campaign. In the first comprehensive articulation of his world view in the journal Foreign Affairs during the summer of 2007, Obama argued, “If Pakistan can look towards the east (India) with confidence, it will be less likely to believe its interests are best advanced through cooperation with the Taliban.”

If Obama’s Kashmir thesis becomes the policy, many negative consequences might ensue. For one, an American diplomatic intervention in Kashmir will make it impossible for India to pursue the current serious back channel negotiations with Pakistan on Kashmir, the first since 1962-63.

... contd.

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View all Messages [ 69 ]
is it right that Mr Obama interfere in kashmir issue by ruchi aggarwal on 2009-01-02 11:14:55.836938+05:30
according 2 me mr obama should not interfere in kashmir issue since 3rd party invovlement could create present condition even more worse.indians Prime minister Mr Manmohan singh should use some tricks in order to resolve kashmir issue.it should be handled in such a manner that it would not hurt the sentiments of anyone either of indians or pakistani nationals.
electricity damand forecasting by abdo on 2008-11-24 22:15:45.122401+05:30
factors affecting electricity demand
        
Kashmir India Pakistan
by Jessica on 2008-12-10 21:18:00.323445+05:30
ok pakistanis are all muslins and they hate us india people india should be part of kashmir because pakistan thinks they can just fight there wait out of things and they cant they need to talk to the govermont or something figure something out or they can both be apart of kashmir i dont know
Kashmir by Hassan on 2008-11-13 04:37:15.757064+05:30
I am not here to cause trouble. The UN mandate says there should be a plebiscite- that's to Vishal. I visited India and loved your country and your people. Your politicians do what's in the best interests of your people. BUT the Kashmiris deserve better. No human rights abuses like in the Valley.Vishal, Kashmir is meant to have a referendum according to the UN mandate. So the argument about kerala and hyderabad is stupid!!
        
Kashmir
by Swapan Chakravarthy on 2008-11-27 14:34:46.378157+05:30
Plebiscite a mandated by UN is for entire Kashmir after a period of rule under India. The last aspect is missed by debaters creating a false and a half-baked discussion. For declining to adhere to that requirement, Pakistan has been demarched by UN.
        
who cares for UN ?
by vishal on 2008-11-17 21:47:15.217849+05:30
UN said ..let there be plebiscite ..so there should be plebiscite..and whose daddy is UN ? Certainly not Indias. Just because UN says something doesn't mean India is going to amputate its head and serve it to you maruders on a platter. Besides Clause number 1 of the UN resolution was that Pakistan would withdraw all it's forces from Kashmir. Did that ever happen ? No ! So clause 2 need not happen either. Also , did the UN resolution take intot account that Pakistan would forcibly occupy 50 % of kashmir and make it POK ? Certainly not. So forget about UN plebiscite. Things have changed now. The only solution going forward is - change of LOC to international border or else ...a war that will wipe out pakistan and kashmir and send india back to stone age.
ENJOY! by Varun on 2008-11-12 22:19:15.225778+05:30
Manmohan Singh was right. Bush was a great friend of India and we vocally joined in denouncing him. Watch now, when Obama with his liberal ideals and ill-defined real-world knowledge begins to start imposing pressure on things we are unwilling to compromise on. Because the US is in a quagmire in Afghanistan, suddenly we should start talking to Pakistan about Kashmir?? What about the nuclear deal? Certainly Obama shows few signs that he regards India as crucial to emerging US alliances? He seems more interested in talking to China. He seems more interested in forging peace in Pakistan. All those things require India to be neutered. Enjoy when the chickens come home to roost.
INDIA FINALLY CORNERED by N. JAVED on 2008-11-12 10:39:52.811398+05:30
LIKE IT OR NOT, THE ISSUE INDIA HAS BEEN TRYING TO WISH AWAY, SHELVE AWAY OR SWEEP UNDER THE RUG HOPING THAT IT WILL EVENTIALLY DISAPPEAR OF ITS OWN VOLITION AND FORGOTTEN HAS NOW COME FULL CIRCLE. EVERYBODY AND THEIR UNCLE ARE SOUNDING THE SAME CHORUS. ANY OTHER EXCUSES NOW MAHRAJ? OR SHOULD WE, AT LONG LAST LET THE ENTIRE REGION MOVE FORWARD FOR A CHANGE SO THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING YOU WOULD HAVE SOME ECONOMIC P.O.M? OTHERWISE, I HOPE YOU KNOWS THAT PAK WILL KEEP THE KETTLE ON YOUR FIRE AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO ABOUT IT, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE HUFFING, PUFFING AND HYSTERICAL BLUFFING RETREAT (2002)
utter nonsense by vishal on 2008-11-11 20:36:38.074641+05:30
What is this nonsense about giving kashmir to pakistan just because it is full of muslims. If tomorrow California wants to seccede to Mexico becasue it is full of Mexicans will USA allow it ? Why not ? If "people's right for self determination" can apply to Kashmir it should apply to california also. Fact is that this was all India. Not from yesterday not from 100 years ago but since thousands and thousands of years all these territories were indian. In 1947 the muslims took parts of OUR land to make Pakistan. The british gave it to them. Well it was not theirs to give in the first place. So that itself is illegle. Now just because there are lots of muslims in kashmir you want us to give kashmir to pakistanis too ? Where does it stop ? Will you be asking for Kerala and Hyderabad next ? Because the muslim population is exploding there too. Will pakistan ask for WB next as the illegle bangladeshis inflate the muslim population there ? WTF ?
Obama and Kashmir by IndianAbroad on 2008-11-10 10:33:25.204492+05:30
President Obama is likely to sympathize with Kashmiri struggle for independce from Pakistan and India. Expect pressure on both Pakistan and India for a solution that favors the oppressed Kashmiris, not Pakistan or India.Obama in his youth visited Pakistan and had Pakistani friends. He is the most Kashmir informed of all the past US Presidents.
'"kASHMIR " by bishop on 2008-11-09 23:15:17.589562+05:30
WELL WE IN INDIA KNOW TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS WELL .WHY DOES THE AMERICAN'S ALWAYS WANT TO POKE THEIR NOSE IN OTHER'S PROBLEMS . WHEREVER THEY HAVE INTERFERED .... ALWAYS IT AS BACKFIRED FOR THEM IN SAME WAY OR ANOTHER . I THINK WE HAVE BETTER PEOPLE HERE IN INDIA TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS . LEAVE ALONE "KASHMIR " AND TRY SOLVING THE PRESENT ECONOMIC CRISIS THAT YOUR PEOPLE ARE FACING INSTEAD OF POKING YOUR NOSE IN OTHER'S AFFAIRS.
stop quoting the campaign obama by sdn on 2008-11-07 11:22:01.038769+05:30
This statement was made during the presidential campaign not after the presidency, Obama has been elected for 2 days now, find me a quote within the last 48 hours where he said anything about India or Pakistan.You should really focus on what he does after the election and not something he said on a interview during the campaign which is totally irrelevant and trying to prove a point where there is nothing to be proven.
Ultimate PM by Raj on 2008-11-06 19:17:47.571764+05:30
Obama's statement on kashmir is really shocking,firstly he needs to look into his country's crubling economy. India has a Prime Minister above that a Super Prime Minister now this guy want's be the ULTIMATE Prime Minister.
        
1
by abb on 2008-11-06 19:31:01.607004+05:30
In the Cold war Period US tried to Push India in the Kashmir Issue...didnt Work! and trying seperate Kashmir from India will make another Afganistan
Obama on Kashmir by Professor N.Sanajaoba on 2008-11-06 16:40:43.598898+05:30
Obama,India,Pakistan can solve Kashmir self-determination issue either [a] by holding international negotiation with all parties including Kashmiri freedom fighters[b] by holding plebiscite under UN supervision as it had been done in East Timor in 1999;or[c] by direct UN intervention with USA's support.If the Kashmiris want to be in India, they have to be there.There is a dispute which can be resolved only on the basis of the consent of the governed.It is possible.
GREAT OBAMA , GO AHEAD by ekata on 2008-11-05 12:57:22.038004+05:30
GREAT OBAMA , HE IS REAL HERO OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CLASS WHO ARE OPPRESSED AND DEPREED AND DEFINITELY HE WILL SOLVE THE KASMIR PROBLEM . THOSE WILL WORY WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM FOR THEIR SHAKE AND DIRTY POLITICS MAKING IT A NATIONAL ISSUE FOR THEIR BENIFIT. IF THERE IS SOMEONE FROM SUCH COMMUNITY IN INDIAN SIDE THIS PROBLEM COULD BE SOLVED MUCH EARLIEAR. BEST LUCK OBAMA . GO AHEAD. U R THE LEADER OF ALL POOR PEOPLE OF THE WOLRD
No Outsourcing, Anti Kashmir by sam33 on 2008-11-05 06:28:48.401985+05:30
No Outsourcing, Anti Kashmir. Common, you can be our friend or our enemy. Take care of your own problems than poking nose in others problem. Iraq wants u to leave their country. Everybody knows Kashmir is integral part of India from independence. Why don’t you talk about Tibet and its independence? India need attitude like china.
Barack Obama's Kashmir thesis! by KN Shivakumar on 2008-11-04 13:11:45.486402+05:30
This is no surprise at all, for any Democratic presidential candidate. Only during the past decade Republican administration in US has tried to come a bit closer to India on geo-political strategic matters. Hence, History has proved that both Democarts
Obama, like you, we like our country by Rags on 2008-11-04 12:47:01.62309+05:30
Obama, like you, we the Indians are much interested and worried about our country issues. To solve your country issue, you cannot help third country to disturb our country.
KASHMIR ISSUE by MANISH on 2008-11-04 12:31:53.826395+05:30
KASHMIR IS THE HEAD OF INDIA.IT IS THE SYMBOL OF SECULARISM IN INDIA.WITHOUT KASHMIR INDIA WOULD BE THEROCRATIC STATE.EVEN IF KASHMIR VALLEY IS MUSLIM MAJORITY THE AREAS OF JAMMU AND LADAKH ARE HINDUA ND BUDDHIST MAJORITY.UNITED INDIA IS ONLY THE FUTURE OF KASHMIR.THE HURRIYAT LEADERS SHOULD KNOW THAT WITHOUT INDIA THEY HAVE NO FUTURE.THE INDIAN GOVT HAS DONE IN KASHMIR WHAT NO OTHER GOVT COULD HAVE DONE.THE LOC SHOULD BE MADE PERMANENT AND INTERNATION BORDER BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND INDIA.THE BORDER SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED .THE PAKISTAN SHOULD GET THE AREAS OF KASHMIR WHICH IT HAS ACCEEDED TO IT.AND INDIA SHOULD GET THE PORTIONS WHICH INDIA HAVE ACCEEDED.WITHOUT INDIA KASHMIR HAS NO FUTURE.THE CALL OF INDEPENDENCE BY THE HURRIYAT IS UNDER DURESS FOM THE EXTREMISTS.THEY ALSO KNOW VERY WELL THAT THEY HAVE NO FUTURE.PAKISATN AND INDIA ARE WELLAWARE TAHT THEY WOULDNOT AFFORD INDEPENDENCE TO KASHMIR.GIVING INDEPENDENCE TO KASHMIR MEANS CREATING ANOTHER TERRORISTS HAVEN IN THE NEIGHBOUR.
        
KASHMIR IS KASHMIR NOT INDIA
by shahid on 2008-11-05 12:38:27.503018+05:30
KASHMIRI PEOPLE HAVE NEVER ENDORSED THIS UGLY FACT THAT KASHMIR HAS EVER BEEN THE PART OF INDIA.IF U STILL ASK ANYBODY IN KASHMIR i,e WHERE R U GOING mumbai ,delhi OR SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY WILL SIMPLY REPLY "INDIA".IF INDIA DOES NOT QUITE KASHMIR AS OF NOW AND KEEP KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE AS USUAL ,THEN NOT VERY FAR INDIA WILL NOT BE ON THE MAP AS INDIA BUT WILL ENDURE SAME FATE SO HAD RUSSIA,MANY MORE PAKISTANS WILL EMERGE FROM INDIA.SO FAR BETTERMENT AND SAKE OF INDIA KASHMIR HAS TO BE AN INDEPENDENT SATE LIKE INDIA
        
what are you talking abt shahid ?
by vishal on 2008-11-10 20:28:47.372009+05:30
It was all india. Just because your maruding ancestors invaded india from middle east and multiplied like rabbits to inflate muslim population in areas that have for century been indian does not mean that suddenly they are not part of india anymore ? Tomorrow if all the jehadis breeding in jama masjid overtake the hindu population in Delhi will you start claiming that Delhi too has never been part of India ? moron ! we already gave you a large tract of our land to make your precious pakistan now F-Off and stay off. You are not getting one more inch of land from India.
        
KASHMIR IS KASHMIR AND PART OF INDIA
by xyz on 2008-11-06 10:45:17.188679+05:30
please make sure, rest any state in India, kashmir too is part of India.. Greed of occupying and making and Independent state is no answer. Any child without mother has "NO VALUE" KASHMIR IS A PART OF INDIA. AND WILL BE PART OF INDIA. YOU CANNOT SEPARATE A CHILD FROM MOTHER. MIND IT AND SET IN YOUR SYSTEMS.
ssds by ssddsf on 2008-11-04 11:15:34.851656+05:30
Hey ! this would be president is nuts.He doesn't know a bit about Pakistan or India.Even if he gives Kashmir totally to Pakistan on a platter , they will not concentrate on terrorism in Afganistan or Talban.Simply Pakistan will ask him to give the rest of India on Platter to it. The problem of Pakistan is not Kashmir, it simply wants to destroy India.It can tolerate Indian existence on globe.But it doesn't know that unless it's attitude is changed it's running to desrtroy itself and the avarage Indian's attitude will be also the same towards it.
        
Choose a president through Hip Hop culture---
by romesh.sharma on 2008-11-04 12:43:47.826536+05:30
Hello,No he does know couple of slummy streets of Karachi and Hydrabad in India where he learnt little fanatic side of Islam.Of course cheap drugs was his major interest!Absolutely agreed with this view point that he is anti-India and a most cunning person who will turn USA into one of the weakest states in the world.USA under such leader will become an object of laughter.
Dont mind Obama words by ravi on 2008-11-04 10:38:19.391131+05:30
Why Indians are much worried about Obama?Even Nixon who threatened india with Nuclear bomb couldnt do anything against india.After iraq lesson US will not involve any foreign political problems where they are not benefitted.Here indians must concerned not with Obama or seperatists, but with indian leaders like MMS and sonia.
obama on kashmir by ravi on 2008-11-04 10:22:47.651948+05:30
US cant do anything which hrts indian sentiments in kashmir
Obama and Kashmir by Swapan Chakravarthy on 2008-11-04 07:36:26.031573+05:30
Never mind what Obama says. Winning hearts and minds in US is different from winning hearts and minds of Indians. By stepping onto a minefield (perhaps a bit inspired by CIA successive failures in Pakistan) like Kashmir is going to fuel the very elements of militancy that successive US Governments have indirectly encouraged and brought the world into a state of mess. Obama is a failure and we will have the oppurtunity to measure him for the next 365 days.
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