The
issue of Kashmir is not important for the US or for the region itself but
rather due to the fact that it involves two nations that have a strategic
interest for the US
“With
respect to Kashmir, obviously this is a longstanding dispute between India
and Pakistan. As I said yesterday, I believe that both Pakistan and India have
an interest in reducing tensions between the two countries. The United States
cannot impose a solution to these problems, but I have indicated to Prime
Minister Singh that we are happy to play any role that the parties think is
appropriate in reducing these tensions. That is in the interests of the region,
it is in the interests of the two countries involved and it is in the interests
of the United States of America” — President Barack Obama.
The above
quote is crucial in comprehending the current position the United States holds
regarding the conflict situation in Kashmir. The region of Kashmir has been in
dispute since the independent countries of India and Pakistan were created in
1947. The region has been the source of much tension and conflict over the
years, causing relations between India and Pakistan to deteriorate on many
occasions. However, the position of the US on this issue is hardly known by its
citizens, nor is it widely publicised and discussed as are the tense situations
between Israel and its neighbours. Furthermore, the US has not really taken a
definitive stance in the matter in spite of the existence of groups in the
region that can rightfully be classified as terrorist groups.
The issue of Kashmir is
not important for the US or for the region itself but rather due to the fact
that it involves two nations that have a strategic interest for the US. Before
the Cold War, the US viewed Pakistan as a significant Cold War ally. At this
point in history, India was not considered a strategic partner to the US due to
its friendly relations with the Soviet Union. However, after the Cold War, this
situation began to change following the fall of the Soviet Union and with the
increasing prominence and power of China. In order to reinforce its position
with China, the US sought to establish closer ties with India.
This historical backdrop
is significant in understanding whether the US’s Cold War era perceptions about
Kashmir continue to this day to influence its stance on the region. If such is
the case, there is the danger of missing realities that have arisen with the
passage of time and basing oneself on previous assumptions as the foundation
for current decisions and actions. However, the Cold War perceptions of the
Kashmir issue do not seem to be the basis of the US’s position on the issue
today.
In the present day, the
US-India-Pakistan relationship is, to say the least, a complex one. The US
needs the assistance of Pakistan in its global anti-terrorism policy and
simultaneously needs to maintain amicable relations with India in order to
counter-balance China’s increasing influence in the region. Thus, the US’s
position with reference to Kashmir is essentially one of neutrality based on
maintaining cordial relations with India without foregoing a relationship with
Pakistan.
In 2010, when President
Obama clearly stated that the US could not impose any solutions to the Kashmir
issue, he rather encouraged India and Pakistan to reduce tensions by themselves
in the interests of the two countries, the region and that of the US. He stated
that the US, in turn, would assist in any way in reducing these tensions. This
statement may indicate a show of support for India as that nation has always
held the position that no outside forces be involved in the settlement of the
Kashmir dispute, despite requests from Pakistan for a US involvement in
negotiations. Since both countries are of strategic value to the US, its
position on the Kashmir issue is essentially one of a ‘hands-off policy’ and it
is clearly exercising a strategic balancing act in order not to offend either
side.
This position was
further reiterated recently by State Department spokesperson Marie Harf who
stated that India and Pakistan need to improve their bilateral relations and
that the two countries need to establish better relations and work together on
the Kashmir issue, further stating that the US remains concerned about the
issues of peace and stability in the region (without getting directly
involved). The US has therefore ruled out any mediation on the Kashmir dispute.
It can clearly be seen
that the US has time and again held a neutral and balanced position on the
Kashmir issue, maintaining that India and Pakistan are ultimately responsible
for ceasing their tensions. This will most likely continue to be the US’s position
on Kashmir, unless of course the situation between India and Pakistan
deteriorates to a point that will cause significant damage to the US’s
strategic interests or if the region attracts a large number of multi-national
terrorists, who pose a direct threat to the US.
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