‘If the Agra summit fails, Kashmir will bear the brunt’

A view of the summit, by a law professor at Kashmir University. By MUFTI ISLAH.

Sheikh Showkat Hussian

Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussian, columnist and professor with the Law department of the Kashmir University, has done exhaustive research on the sub-continent politics.

Hussian says Kashmiris have every right to be hopeful about the impending Agra summit. ‘‘An impression is developing here that the Vajpayee-Musharraf summit would gradually pave the way towards solution of the Kashmir problem if not its final settlement in one go,’’ says Hussian.

Sounding optimistic about the summit, he rejected the perception that the two leaders are too weak-kneed to begin a serious discussions on Kashmir. ‘‘Vajpayee and Gen Musharraf now represent two nuclear nations and the summit this time assumes more significance. It has got to be successful. The two countries cannot afford its failure,’’ he says. Pakistan’s eagerness to talk exclusively on Kashmir has not been turned down by India because it too does not want to spoil the atmospherics of the dialogue, he added.

Hussian feels though the summit is partly a sequel to looming American pressure, the two leaders too seem positive about it success. ‘‘The announcement of summit is a U-turn from the earlier rigid stands of the two countries. The two, it seems, have divorced the dynamics of politics in their respective countries and that indicates they are moving in the direction of peace,’’ feels Hussian.

‘‘The two leaders are more determined and yielding. I think they have to make concessions to take the summit ahead,’’ he says. If the summit does not work, the Kashmiri people will bear the fallout. ‘‘Kashmir will be a laboratory where the two countries will test their strength. Violence in Kashmir is bound to escalate by horrific proportions,’’ he says.

‘‘Failure of summit means more infiltration from the other side as well s more counter insurgency operations. In short, Kashmiris will continue to suffer.