There is a section of Kashmir’s society that’s been shouting from the rooftops for ‘Independence’ of Kashmir. They neither want to remain with India nor join Pakistan. Do these hotheads know the consequences of an independent Kashmir?
This country would include Indian Administered Kashmir (Excluding Jammu and Ladakh) and Pak Administered Kashmir.
Let’s check it out.
Reasons why an independent Kashmir is not viable.
1) Located in one of the most unstable regions in the world in terms of terrorism.
2) Could only set themselves up for an invasion from any one of possibly 3 neighboring countries.
3) Independence doesn’t guarantee stability.
4) Independence doesn’t guarantee safety.
5) A predominantly Muslim nation could fall prey to an extreme form of Islam and set up a strict Sharia Law society like what the TTP/ISIS aim to establish.
6) Not economically viable since there are no industries or natural resources. Agriculture and tourism cannot sustain a country’s economy. Investors would think twice before investing in a land locked country. Independence doesn’t guarantee economic prosperity.
7) How would the country even generate tax income in an area that has no resources?
8) How would they find resources for raising an army for internal as well as external threats? A minimum of three divisions would be required and probably an indep armored brigade. Cost? At least $ 10 billion! Where is the money? Or where would it come from?
9) Kashmir is predominantly rural and makes nearly all of its paltry income from agriculture in a region as rocky as the Himalayas. There won’t be much money available to sustain a government in Kashmir and have enough funds for education, infrastructure, healthcare, defense, etc. It would not be able to fund such projects with the limited sources of income without running up monstrous debts which would quickly cripple the economy of the nation, scaring away investors, resulting in perpetual poverty, and finally resulting in a collapse.
At present India sinks into Kashmir almost Rs 50,000 crores a year ($9 billion) on subsidies, aids and grants. How would an independent Kashmir sustain itself without this enormous amount being pumped into Kashmir’s economy every year? Would Pakistan be able to lend this enormous amount annually as aid? Probably China? No way!
I would love to get a counter point to this from the separatists who spare no effort in vilifying India and hankering for an independent Kashmir.
What do you guys think? Is an independent Kashmir viable?
