Cohen sees mediatory role for U.S. on Kashmir

WASHINGTON, MAY 29. The United States should remain an impartial observer during the ensuing dialogue between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, and assume the role of a mediator at an appropriate time, Mr. Stephen Cohen, a leading expert on South Asian affairs has said.

In a policy paper titled `Moving forward in South Asia,' drafted before the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, extended an invitation to the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, for talks, he said the U.S. should encourage both sides to discuss alternative solutions to the problem.

The U.S. should work with its allies and friends to prepare for a time when both the countries were amenable to outside help. ``At that point, and with Indian and Pakistani concurrence, discussions over an agreement that could include monitoring and verification mechanisms could commence (with outside mediation) with the goal that all parties would adhere to a final agreement.''

Describing the resistance to American involvement in the Kashmir issue as `short sighted,' Mr. Cohen, a senior fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution, said the dispute was neither ready for a resolution nor for a major American mediation.

But, if the current situation persisted, it could lead to another Indo-Pakistan war. In such an eventuality, Washington must be prepared to intervene since the issue carried the danger of a nuclear confrontation.

The U.S. should urge India to start a meaningful dialogue with Kashmiri leaders of all political persuasions and offer assistance to New Delhi to combat counter-terrorism. It should also warn Islamabad that continued support to non-Kashmiri and terrorist groups would qualify it for inclusion in the list of States that supported terrorism.

Emphasising that the crisis in Kashmir was unlikely to be resolved quickly, Mr. Cohen said the U.S should notch up its level of engagement in the disputes, expand its support for informal diplomacy and explore the pros and cons of specific proposals with the concerned parties.

Given the complex relationship between the U.S. and India and Pakistan, the Bush administration's go-slow policy towards the two countries was understandable.

Though, a comprehensive policy review was currently underway in the State Department on South Asia, immediate attention needs to be given to strengthening and restoring relations with them.

Washington and New Delhi had divergent but not necessarily dissimilar views on questions of global arms control, development of national and theatre missile defenses, humanitarian intervention, India's quest for a permanent U.N Security Council seat and trade policies.

They were issues that cannot be resolved easily, but the administration should take advantage of the newly-created framework for dialogue with New Delhi.

On rebuilding ties with Pakistan, Mr. Cohen said while America should pursue an `India first policy' in South Asia but that should not become `an India only' policy. In other words, India should not be given a veto over American relations with Islamabad.

- UNI

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