New Delhi and Islamabad nearly achieved Kashmir deal in 2007

Washington: India and Pakistan engaged in nearly three years of secret, high-level talks that narrowly missed achieving a historic breakthrough in the countries' decades-old conflict over Kashmir, according to an account set for publication on Sunday.

The negotiations, which began in 2004, produced the outlines of an accord that would have allowed a gradual demilitarisation of the disputed Himalayan region, a flashpoint in relations between the rivals since 1947. The effort stalled in 2007, and the prospects for a settlement were further undermined by deadly terrorist attacks on Mumbai in November, the report said.

The peace initiative is described in an article by investigative journalist Steve Coll, who writes in New Yorker magazine. The two sides had "come to semicolons" in their negotiations when the effort lost steam, he says.

The attempt ultimately failed, not because of substantive differences, Coll writes, but because declining political fortunes left Pakistan's then-president, Pervez Musharraf, without the clout he needed to sell the agreement at home.

Although Musharraf fought for the deal - as did Indian leader Manmohan Singh - he became so weakened politically that he "couldn't sell himself," let alone a surprise peace deal with a longtime rival, Coll says, quoting senior Pakistani and Indian officials.

Musharraf resigned as president in August.

Coll, a former Washington Post managing editor who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for his book Ghost Wars, writes that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute was the cornerstone of a broad agreement that would have represented a "paradigm shift" in relations between India and Pakistan: a moving away from decades of hostility to acceptance and peaceful trade.

Under the plan, the Kashmir conflict would have been resolved through the creation of an autonomous region in which local residents could move freely and conduct trade on both sides of the territorial boundary. Over time, the border would become irrelevant, and declining violence would allow a gradual withdrawal of tens of thousands of troops that now face one another across the region's mountain passes.

"It was huge - I think it would have changed the basic nature of the problem," the article quoted a senior Indian official as saying. "You would have then had the freedom to remake Indo-Pakistani relations."

According to Coll's account, the secret negotiations consisted of about two dozen meetings in hotel rooms in various overseas locations. The sessions revolved around developing a document known as a "non-paper," diplomatic jargon for a negotiated text that bears no names or signatures and can "serve as a deniable but detailed basis for a deal", the article says.

The US and British governments were aware of the talks and offered low-key support and advice but otherwise elected to let India and Pakistan settle their disputes unaided.

"Ultimately, any peace settlement would have to attract support in both countries' parliaments; if it were seen as a product of American or British meddling, its prospects would be dim," Coll writes.

Musharraf is portrayed as an enthusiastic supporter of the deal who succeeded in winning converts among the country's sceptical military leadership. Yet, just as the two countries were beginning to consider how to sell the plan domestically, he was compelled to seek a delay.

In March 2007, as the two capitals were discussing plans for a historic summit, Musharraf became embroiled in a public feud with his country's highest court that led to his resignation.

Is there a solution to the Kashmir issue? Are leaders serious about negotiations regarding this issue?

The Kashmir issue should be resolved peacefully and let the long suffering Kashmiries live a prosperous and peaceful life
Imran Siyal
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: February 23, 2009, 13:29

Give it an other try and few more terror attacks would either be on India or on Pakistan. Even if governments of both the countries agree on some point to resolve this issue, some powers would never let that happen. At the moment Kashmir dispute is the only rivalry factor between India and Pakistan, which will never let them progress. Indian and Pakistan can not resolve this issue at all, no matter what, because their hands are tied and apparently they do not have authority to take the decision without involving America. On a closing note, USA can not see progressive South Asia. Obviously they can not afford to lose the title of so called "Super Power".
Ali Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 23, 2009, 13:16

The only solution lies in the hands of people of Kashmir, they should be allowed to live on their own. It is their decision that should be respected and considered before any deal.
Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 23, 2009, 09:39

There is a solution to the Kashmir issue but both Pakistani and Indian leaders are not serious about negotiation. The only acceptable solution for people of Kashmir is; let them decide about their future through a referendum under monitoring of United Nation whether they want to stay with India or Pakistan or they want independence. Both India and Pakistan should talk about the process of this referendum if they seriously want to resolve this issue.
Mohammad Ishtiaq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 23, 2009, 08:50

There is no end to the problem without resolution of Kashmir issue. Changing the labels of issues or using different jargons would not bring suffering and true peace for both countries. Let the people of Kashmir decide their will and all the world should respect as it has been supported in many other parts even in the recent past. Then why not for Kashmir? We just support a justified agreement that should bring to these hostilities and peace in the region.
Mohammad Khalid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 23, 2009, 08:20

There is definitely a solution to the Kashmir problem if and only if interest of people is kept in mind.
Ishrat Qadir
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 23, 2009, 06:55

Yes, there is definitely a solution to the decades old bloody Jammu
Dr Aamir Salaria
Missouri,US
Posted: February 23, 2009, 04:15