Human rights: are they universal? on October 18, 2017It is tragic that civilised nations have fallen from their lofty calling: namely, human rights for all mankind. There is a sad commentary on the state of human rights all over the globe. It seems that until there evolves a generally accepted moral duty among peoples and nations to assist all victims of widespread human […]
Indian-occupied Kashmir a summary on August 20, 2017HEART of Asia, with historical links to both South and Central Asia. Kashmir shares borders with India, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan and with a small stripe of 27 miles with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It is the only nation in the world which shares its borders with three nuclear powers – India, Pakistan and China. It is […]
Douglas Evans Coe man of quiet diplomacy on July 12, 2017DOUG Coe was in his office when we arrived. Lars had already made the appointment. The office secretary escorted us into his office, which is housed in a two story building on the estate. “I have to introduce you to a man who is also part of a revolution that believes in global peace,” Lars […]
Musharrafs four-point formula: the devil in the details on March 3, 2017“Four-point Formula does not want to resolve the Kashmir dispute but to dissolve it.” Ambassador Yusuf Buch Abba Eban, an international diplomat, is reported to have once said, “History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they exhaust all other alternatives.” That wisdom was apparent when, in 1995, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister […]
Kashmir: a road to peace or disaster? on February 17, 2017India and Pakistan have had more than 150 official rounds of talks in the last seven decades to discuss conflicts and differences between them. The by-product of every round of talk was an agreement to meet again to talk. In consequence, the peace process between India and Pakistan has always remained an illusion. Talks have […]
The UN and Kashmir: where do we go from here? on February 3, 2017If we were to judge the UN based upon its history of involvement in efforts to resolve international conflicts, the simplest answer is that it has been an enormous failure. The UN, of course, is a far more complex organisation whose work covers such a broad range of activities that conflict resolution is only a […]
The path to peace in Kashmir on January 13, 2017On behalf of the ‘World Kashmir Awareness’ and its members, sincere congratulations to Mr President-elect on your election as the 45th President of the United States of America. As you settle down to your new responsibilities, I would like you to know that the best wishes of Americans of Kashmiri origin are with you. We […]
A challenge to Antonio Guterres on January 6, 2017May I take this opportunity to offer you, Mr. Antonio Guterres, on behalf of the people of Jammu & Kashmir sincere congratulations on your election as the ninth Secretary General of the United Nations. The unanimity of the Security Council is indicative of their wisdom in believing that you are an ideal candidate with the […]
The quest for peace in South Asia on December 30, 2016“Peace need not be impracticable, and war need not be inevitable.” John F. Kennedy Peace has eluded Kashmir for more than 69 years, ever since British sovereignty lapsed on 15 August 1947. The Government of India holds the decisive card to end Kashmir’s convulsions and carnage on a genocidal scale. No peace formula worth its […]
Preventive Diplomacy: Successes and Failures on December 23, 2016“It is also true that there is no peace and sustainable development without respect for human rights.” Antonio Guterres, Secretary General- elect of the United Nations “Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.” President John F. Kennedy It has always been a challenge to exchange views on […]