Musharraf, left, and Vajpayee
A quick flurry of shuttle diplomacy did not ease tensions as the current crisis between India and Pakistan deepens. And both leaders India's Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistan's General Pervez Musharraf ignored each other at last week's security summit.
Last week Wednesday, citizens in Kashmir were busily digging air raid shelters as talks of nuclear attacks escalated. Also on Wednesday, citizens in Delhi took to the streets in protest calling for war while Washington envoy, Richard Armitage, said America had a stake in seeing that both countries did not set themselves back at this time. Describing the situation as volatile and complicated, United States Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, also echoed the same sentiment.
India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, have been bristling at one another since an attack in December by Islamic militants on the Indian Parliament.
The confrontation escalated on May 14, when militants staged an attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir, in which 34 people, mostly women and children, were killed. Vajpayee responded to the second attack by threatening to launch a "decisive" battle against Pakistan, spurring ambiguous retaliatory threats from Islamabad that have raised fears of a nuclear war.
Many Pakistanis and Indians have made Jamaica their home; in light of the current situation in those countries, In Focus asked some of them to share their feelings on the situation in their homeland.
Jim Lakuwani, a businessman from Ocho Rios who still has friends and classmates in India:
"We were at first the same people but unfortunately became divided over religious beliefs; those who overruled took advantage of the situation. Ironically, there are more Pakistanis living in India than there are Pakistanis living in Pakistan. Indians have always been peaceful, spiritual individuals who believe all human beings are equal and welcome them with open arms. Kashmir should be a part of India but Pakistan made advancement to capture it.
"Both Governments decided to make Kashmir independent but lately Pakistan wants to capture it. This would bring them into Indian territory and they must be stopped. Normally it is peaceful but every now and then there are flare-ups. Hindu temples have been burnt and in retaliation a Masjid is burnt it is an ongoing problem over the years. Today we are encouraging the Government to take action to finish the matter because Pakistan is supposed to be India's 'baby'.
"It is upsetting. No one likes war; it will hurt both countries and both have powerful armies and are equipped with nuclear weapons; if it gets to war, there will be no winners. We are one people."
Jack Thakurani, Indian businessman from Ocho Rios who also has friends and family members in Bom-bay (Mumbai):
"Both countries want to show each other their power. Pakistan's activities in Kashmir are upsetting and India has lost its patience with Pakistan; they must stop the terrorism. I hope it will be over soon; the troops will still be there but I am concerned about the nuclear weapons. India is a peaceful country but how long can their patience go on?"
Tarik Malik is a Kingston businessman who is from Pakistan and still has family ties in his country. He shares their concern at the moment but keeps in touch:
"I have just learnt that the Indian Prime Minister has shown interest in joint border patrols with Paki-stan and there is to be an international coalition to see who's right or wrong. I hope it eases the tensions.
My views are that the Indians are taking a ride on the international terrorism bandwagon. Pakistan has never been involved in terrorism. I don't think war is the answer but 80 per cent of the Pakistani budget goes to the military.
The issue of war is over Kashmir; since it was established in 1947, half of Kashmir is Pakistan-occupied and the other half is Indian-occupied. Kashmiris want independence and India does not want that, hence the war. Kashmir would rather be with Pakistan. I don't buy the argument that Pakistan is India's baby now turned against it. If that were the case it would have been disciplined long ago.
My family is not worried. If there's war, we'll defend our country. But we need to talk and resolve the issue. We can't play around once nuclear weapons are involved. We are no match with conventional weapons but we have nuclear power.
Rajni Sud is of Indian descent and resides in Ocho Rios, St. Ann:
"It is a very sad situation, both countries have nuclear weapons but the United States is Pakistan's ally, so I hope they will try to alleviate the situation. I don't think it will get past the war of words; there are a lot of egos involved and that is sad. Pakistan was a part of India until the separation. Kashmir was not an issue till now."
Bob Chugani, a St. Andrew business-man who has lived in Jamaica for 20 years:
"The situation has been going on for years. It will be like a little time bomb and then come back again. Kashmir is the "beauty spot" of India and Pakistan wants it back. India is a peaceful country following in the tradition of Mahat-ma Gandhi; we got In-dependence without war. My family (about 50) there are not worried; this "cold war" has existed for a long time and this incident will only last for a short time."
