COLUMNS
How an Indian Kashmir Fits Into Modi's Grand Plan
Aug 29, 2019 | 09:00 GMT
(RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Images)
Highlights
- The growing political presence of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kashmir enabled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to finally absorb the autonomous territory after nearly seven decades.
- The need to distract voters from India's slowing economy plus fears that the pending U.S. exit from Afghanistan will eventually bolster Pakistan's regional power likely prompted Modi's decision.
- In the long-term, Modi will encourage the migration of non-Kashmiri Hindus to the region as part of the BJP's efforts to advance national unity and strengthen India's control over the state.
- But an increasing involvement of locals in the insurgency in Kashmir could thwart these plans, and will remain the likeliest cause of future conflict between India and Pakistan.
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