South Asia Monitor: The Kashmiri Impasse: Lots of Activity, Little Movement - September 1, 2002

September 1, 2002

Despite a summer of political ferment in Kashmir, violence remains high and the underlying impasse has not changed. Barring some significant changes in policy in both Islamabad and Delhi, the state elections scheduled for September/October are unlikely to settle the question of who can speak for the Kashmiris in negotiating their future with India and Pakistan. The United States and other outsiders have been trying to help move this process forward. They have an opportunity to do so, but starting a successful peace process will require more than a simple decision to talk.