ASSESSMENTS
Modi Moves to Remake Kashmir
Aug 6, 2019 | 02:43 GMT
(AVIJIT GHOSH/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Highlights
- The BJP-led government's attempt to integrate Kashmir fits into its broader goal of solidifying the political and economic unity of India, whose regions are diverse.
- While the Indian opposition's strategy will focus on attacking the move as undemocratic, the government will aim to rally nationalist support in the name of national security, continuing a core theme of its reelection campaign.
- The government's deployment of 38,000 security forces is designed to preempt the expected rise in political violence and potential for a high-profile cross-border attack at a time when U.S. mediation may be unreliable and Pakistan may look to China for support.
- At the same time, the heightened security threat to India could result in opportunistic jihadist attacks in core urban areas.
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