by Afia Atiq Malik 7 March 2023
Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint between India and Pakistan. The conflict between the two countries over Kashmir has been going on for more than 75 years. Over the years, Kashmiris have been at the receiving end of the conflict. In recent years, however, Kashmiris are being forcefully made to pay the price of Indian economic diplomacy.
In recent years, the Indian government has been aggressively pushing its economic policies in the region, often at the expense of the local population.
New Delhi has been aggressively pushing its economic exploitation policies in Kashmir, projecting occupation as transformation of region into an economic powerhouse. However, this push for economic development has come at a great cost to the people of Kashmir. They are being forced to pay the price for Indian economic diplomacy in several ways.
One of the primary ways in which Kashmiris are being made to pay the price of Indian economic diplomacy through the doctrine of eminent domain (stealing) or acquisition of land for various development projects. The Indian government has been stealing land from local farmers and residents in Kashmir for various projects such as highways, power plants, and tourism development. However, the acquisition process has been riddled with corruption and has been heavily tilted in favor of the government.
Many Kashmiris have been forced to sell their land at a fraction of its market value, with little or no compensation. This has resulted in widespread anger and resentment among the local population. In some cases, people have been forcibly evicted from their homes to make way for these projects. This has led to a sense of insecurity and uncertainty among the people of Kashmir, who feel that their fundamental rights are being trampled upon in the name of development.
Another way in which Kashmiris are being made to pay the price of Indian economic diplomacy is through the exploitation of their natural resources. Kashmir is rich in natural resources such as water, forests, and minerals. However, these resources are being exploited by Indian companies without any regard for the local population.
All of these companies are owned by powerful Indian business magnates who have close ties to the Indian government and BJP/ RSS. They are given access to Kashmir’s resources at a fraction of their true value, with little or no benefit accruing to the local population. This has led to widespread resentment among the people of Kashmir, who feel that their resources are being stolen from them.
The exploitation of natural resources has also had a severe impact on the environment in Kashmir. Deforestation, pollution, and the depletion of water resources have led to a loss of biodiversity and a decline in the overall quality of life for the people of Kashmir.
The Indian government’s push for economic development in Kashmir has also had a severe impact on the local economy. The traditional industries of Kashmir such as handicrafts and agriculture have been decimated by the influx of cheap goods from outside the region. This has resulted in widespread unemployment and poverty among the local population.
The Indian government has attempted to address this issue by promoting tourism as an alternative source of income for the people of Kashmir. However, this has led to a situation where the local population is being pushed out of the tourism industry in favor of outside investors. The result is that the benefits of tourism are accruing to a small number of people, while the majority of the local population is left out.
The Indian government’s push for economic development in Kashmir has also had a severe impact on the region’s culture and identity. The traditional way of life in Kashmir is being eroded by the influx of outside influences. The promotion of tourism has led to a situation where the local population is being forced to cater to the tastes of outside tourists, rather than preserving their own unique cultural heritage.
In conclusion, Kashmiris are being forcefully made to pay the price of Indian economic diplomacy in several ways. They are being forced to give up their land, resources, and traditional way of life in the name of development. The Indian government’s policies in Kashmir have led to a situation.
About the Author
The writer is an independent researcher and currently pursuing her PHD in International Relations from the University of Wyoming.