Investor Presentaiton
Principal Findings
What's new? In August 2019, India unilaterally revoked Jammu and Kashmir's
semi-autonomous status, redrew its internal boundaries, and scrapped Kash-
miris' exclusive rights to immovable property and access to government jobs. To
quell potential protests, the authorities ordered an unprecedented crackdown,
which included detaining almost all local politicians and a months-long com-
munications blackout.
Why did it happen? Revocation of the Indian constitution's Article 370,
which gave Kashmir its previous status, had been on the Bharatiya Janata Party's
agenda for decades. Emboldened by its landslide win of a second term in May
2019, the government ordered the state's overhaul soon afterward, without con-
sulting Kashmiri politicians or society.
Why does it matter? New Delhi claimed that its bold move would help bring
peace and development to the region after three decades of conflict. One year
later, its reforms, coupled with heavy-handed counter-insurgency tactics, have
only exacerbated Kashmiri alienation and raised tensions with Pakistan. Kash-
mir's youth continues to join militant ranks.
What should be done? While New Delhi appears unlikely to reverse course,
its international allies should strongly encourage it to restore Kashmiri state-
hood, free detained politicians and end security forces' abuses against civilians.
Pakistan's partners should push harder for it to stop backing anti-India jihadists.
Both countries should abide by their 2003 Kashmir ceasefire.View entire presentation