ASIA/INDIA - New hope for peace and development in Kashmir as leaders of India and Pakistan prepare to talk

Jammu (Fides Service) - “The situation is quite calm and we are pleased and hopeful at the news that India and Pakistan will soon meet again for talks. We are sure this means relations between the counries are really improving”: said local church sources in the contested region of Kashmir scene of 50 years of violence for which there now appears to be new hope for a solution.
“Life is better than 15 years ago. People are less anxious and social and economic activity has resumed. There are more tourists and this is encouraging. Tourism is essential for development which was stopped by conflict. Local Catholics continue to serve the people with education and social assistance. There is no tension of fear. We hope this will continue and that a lasting solution will be found for the porblem of Kashmir” local sources said.
The picture is encouraging and there are certain positive developments. A few days ago India’s premier Manmohan Singh met with a delegation of Hurriyat, a group of leading Kashmir politicans. The meeting was cordial and Hurryiat chairman Umar Farooq said Premier Singh had shown his willingness to discuss matters. Before the meeting Pakistan and India agreed to flank the restored bus service between the two countries via Kashmir with a corridor for heavy goods vehicles. This was another step to render premanent the 1948 border which cut Kashmir in two.
In the meantime the Indian premier Manmohan Singh and Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf will be in New York for the UN general assembly. The two leaders will take the opportunity to discuss matters on which the two countries disagree, Kashmir in particular. Observers note however that unlike talks in the past, the present India-Pakistan dialogue is very friendly and promises well for a landmark solution.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/9/2005 righe 28 parole 302)