Can the Kashmir problem be solved?

Kashmir: A Two-Point Solution No One Wants to Try

Over the last two decades, there has been so much violence in Kashmir that it has become unbearable to watch, hear, or even read about. The tragedy feels endless, locked in a cycle of grief involving the familiar triumvirate: India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiris themselves (excluding Jammu and Leh–Ladakh here).

There seems to be no end in sight to this cauldron of strife.

An Impasse That Refuses to Move

I do not know if this impasse will ever be resolved. Decades of diplomacy, militarisation, outrage, and mourning have produced remarkably little movement.

But I believe there is a way forward. Just two points, really.

1. Hold the Plebiscite

Having been promised since 1947, a referendum to decide the future of the region should finally be held. Ask Kashmiris—on both sides—what they want:

• Join India
• Join Pakistan
• Remain independent

Whatever the outcome, it should be respected and followed through peacefully.

How long will we continue spending vast sums of money protecting territory that may not want to belong to us? How many lives must be lost before we accept that force cannot manufacture legitimacy?

Someone, somewhere, is missing out on enormous economic opportunity—tourism, forestry, livelihoods—but peace must come first. And peace begins with choice.

2. Trade Like There’s No Tomorrow

Which movie gave us the line, “Money talks and bullshit walks”? The idea applies perfectly here.

Build such a strong trading relationship between India and Pakistan that disturbing the equilibrium becomes unthinkable.

Why can China not go to war with India? Trade. Why is the United States overtly friendly with India? Trade. Across the world, the pattern is clear: the stronger the economic interdependence, the lower the appetite for war.

Official trade between India and Pakistan currently stands at around $3 billion. Estimates suggest the potential could be ten times that—or more.

Imagine the possibilities: access to manpower, technology exchange, markets, education, and healthcare. Mutual benefit has a way of silencing war drums.

A Theoretical Future

The good news is that, at least in theory, a better future is possible through this two-point approach.

The bad news is that there appears to be no one in sight willing—or able—to implement it.

A Message to the Future

If future generations are reading this in 2050 and the situation still resembles 2019, try implementing this formula. You truly have nothing to lose—and everything to gain.