Trade has trebled

Talks on demilitarizing the Siachen glacier are close to a final agreement

New initiatives to soften the border between India and Pakistan and the Line of Control dividing Jammu and Kashmir are underway

The two countries have agreed to set up a Joint Counter-Terrorism Mechanism

They have exchanged concrete proposals through their back channel on self-governance and ending the violence in Jammu and Kashmir

The Indian government has begun a wide range of consultations with Kashmiri groups

Wide discussion between Indian, Pakistani and Kashmiri civil society from both sides of the Line of Control have begun to impact Track I

Whilst this progress is very encouraging, violence continues to make normal life virtually impossible in large parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Most speakers agreed that the peace process could not progress much further unless the armed groups declared a ceasefire.

Additionally, the conference analyzed and discussed the Indian government’s role in the Afghan peace process. India’s support consists of civilian aid for peace-building, but the country also has a wider interest in the establishment of stability, peace and security in Afghanistan, given the role that the Taliban played in supporting Pakistani armed groups fighting in Jammu and Kashmir.

While security and stability in Afghanistan are vitally important to the peace process in Jammu and Kashmir, analysts point out that the two peace processes have a seesaw relation. When violence ebbs on Pakistan’s Kashmir border, it rises on Pakistan’s Afghan border, and vice versa. Pakistan’s support is critical to ensuring this seesaw stops; but this support will become possible only under pressure, perhaps a combined Afghan, Indian and international diplomatic pressure could work.