Cross-LoC Tourism

Cross-LoC Tourism

D. Suba Chandran

During his recent visit to J&K, Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Commerce announced in March, that trade across the LoC will start in 90 days. In the same month, Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Chief Minister of J&K, during his speech in Poonch, announced that Poonch-Rawlakot road will become a major trade route across the LoC between the two Kashmirs. Almost two months have passed since these two statements. The ground reality today is, despite brave statements from the Union and State governments, is not encouraging.

There are serious legal and political hurdles in achieving any meaningful trade across the LoC. The legal issue include providing some sanctity to the LoC, if the goods have to cross from one part of the Kashmir to the other. Pakistan fears, this will lead to a tacit acceptance of the LoC as a permanent border. Second, even if the trade begins, given the experience elsewhere inside South Asia, the basket of goods, is likely to be small, resulting only in a trickle. Finally, given the current level of understanding, the trade is likely to be only between the two Kashmirs and not beyond.

Given the above limitation on cross-LoC trade, there is an effort to look beyond, in order to improve the cross-LoC interactions. Tourism is one area, which has enormous potential on this issue, where the legal and political aspects can be underplayed. Today, the two bus services across Uri and Poonch, carry divided families on a regular basis, without much compromises on legal and political issues related to travel. In promoting tourism between the two countries also, the same arrangement can be pursued in facilitating travel.

Besides the less legal and political issues associated with, cross-LoC tourism has enormous potential to improve the relations between the two Kashmirs. Historically, ever since the 1947 War, Hindu and Sikh communities have migrated to J&K, leaving their ancestral home, which is now under Pakistan’s administration. This community, now settled all over the Jammu region, is extremely anxious to visit the other side. Unfortunately, since this section does not have a divided member on the other side, they could make use of the two existing bus services, which is limited only to the divided families. While the divided families of Muslim community could visit each other and make use of the bus, Hindu and Sikh communities, who have also been displaced after 1947, have been denied this opportunity. It is only fair, that these two communities also are included in the cross-LoC interactions; tourism across the LoC, provide an opportunity.

Second, people of Ladakh, Kargil, Skardu and Gilgit have also been denied this opportunity to cross the LoC. There are numerous families in this belt, which are also divided. People in this region have been claiming for the opening of Kargil-Skardu road. Cross-LoC tourism, will address the aspirations of people in this region, who geographically are the biggest inside J&K.

Third, cross-LoC tourism will improve the understanding of each other – the good will, fears, sentiments and sensitivities. The current interaction is narrowly based on divided families, where emotions run high, undermining political and security sensitivities of the people and State. Cross-LoC tourism will address larger issues and enable people on both sides to understand better.

Fourth, economically, cross-LoC tourism will boost all the regions. From Poonch to Gilgit, there are numerous places of historical, adventure and religious importance that will attract everyone from all parts of Kashmir. Places of worship belonging to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist communities are spread all over J&K and are not limited to one region. In fact, a Buddhist from Ladakh would love to go up to even Swat and beyond; a Pandit would like to visit the Sharada Peeth in Kishan Ganga Valley; and a Muslim would like to visit Hazratbal and Shahadra Sharief. On historical and other significances, Gulmarg, Dal Lake, Ladakh and Jammu would enthral people from the other side, so would be Gilgit, Skardu and Mirpur for people from J&K. Historically, there are numerous places, from ancient era until today that would attract people to visit each other.

Such a movement for religious, adventure and historical reasons is likely to improve the economic activities on both sides tremendously. From having small dhabas to constructing huge hotels, the economic benefits of cross-LoC tourism will have its own dynamics on political issues.

For the above reasons, New Delhi should take up this issue in the forthcoming meeting with Pakistan at the ministerial and foreign secretaries level, in May. Obviously, there are security implications of such a movement. Here, to start with, India could consider the Chinese model, in allowing tourism in Tibet. It encouraged group tourism in the beginning instead of individuals. India and Pakistan can also adopt such a strategy to begin with: group tourism for religious, historical and adventure purposes. Once the confidence level increases, both countries could relax this further and open it for every one. Once this process is set in motion, both countries could even think about attracting international tourists with a joint package. Imagine a trip from Europe or US to New Delhi-Srinagar/Leh-Kargil-Skardu-Gilgit-Islamabad and back!