Prospects of Travel and Trade across the India–Pakistan Line of Control (LoC)
| Author | Priyanka Singh |
| DOI | 10.1177/0020881715605237 |
| Published date | 01 January 2013 |
| Date | 01 January 2013 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Prospects of Travel and
Trade across the India–
Pakistan Line of Control
(LoC)
Priyanka Singh1
Abstract
The article primarily seeks to understand the relevance of cross-Line of Control
(LoC) trade and travel in its present shape and determine its salience in the over-
all ambit with regard to Kashmir issue for India and Pakistan. Simultaneously, it
looks at whether the cross-LoC initiative is reflective of the larger issues pending
between India and Pakistan at the bilateral level. It attempts to study the nuances
related to the role of cross-LoC trade/travel and takes a retrospective view to
see whether the opening up of the LoC has eased the situation. The article gauges
limitations of the cross-LoC exchange and later draws suggestions to better the
process.
Keywords
India, Pakistan, Line of Control, Jammu and Kashmir, travel, trade
The demand to strengthen relations between the two sides of the LOC is voiced in every
part of the State. Such a move, it is argued, would have immense benets for the people.
It would boost two-way trade, create employment opportunities, promote understand-
ing between people belonging to different ethnic, linguistic and religious groups, foster
cooperation between the two sides on a host of issues of common concern and interests
and, not least, bring divided families together and thus reduce and eventually end the
psychological trauma they have experienced for over six decades. (Padgaonkar, Kumar
& Ansari, 2010, p. 110)
Introduction
The Line of Control (LoC) is a 700-plus km military line that divides the state of
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), that is, the
Article
International Studies
50(1&2) 71–91
2016 Jawahalal Nehru University
SAGE Publications
sagepub.in/home.nav
DOI: 10.1177/0020881715605237
http://isq.sagepub.com
1 Associate Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi, India.
Corresponding author:
Priyanka Singh, Room No. 344, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, 1, Development Enclave, Rao
Tula Ram Marg, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi 110010, India.
E-mail: priy2007@gmail.com
72 International Studies 50(1&2)
so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit–Baltistan (Dhar, 2000,
p. 192). Since the first war on Kashmir during 1947–1948, the LoC (referred to as
the ceasefire line till the Simla Agreement of 1972) has dictated narratives of
conflict between India and Pakistan. The two sides have fought wars over the LoC
and there have been innumerable occasions when the dividing line has been vio-
lated. In view of the overall sensitivity of the Kashmir issue, persistent and over-
whelming tensions and contesting claims by the two countries, the LoC has been
embroiled in the strategic, territorial and security paradigm.
Against such parochial perceptions, which allowed little efforts in terms of
positive concrete initiatives, establishing lines of contact and economic trade has
been a commendable achievement on the part of India and Pakistan—traditional
rivals and immediate neighbours. The idea of cross-LoC contact was on the anvil
for long before it was finally enunciated and gradually unfolded post 2003.
Conceived as a part of the confidence building measures (CBMs), the genesis of
cross-LoC measures could be traced back to the spirit of Lahore Resolution in
1999, which prepared the ground for tangible dividends in terms of peace initia-
tives. In the aftermath of the Kargil War (1999) and the attack on Indian Parliament
(2001), the 2003 ceasefire provided favourable atmospherics to restart the process
of peace. At this point, peace talks between India and Pakistan gained significant
traction.
The issue of opening up the LoC was considered complicated as both entities
involved (J&K and AJK) are under a special constitutional status. Constitutional
barriers had, therefore, to be overcome on both sides of Kashmir to soften the
LoC, especially for trade. Article 31(3) (d) of the AJK Interim Constitution 1974
debars the AJK government from starting international trade on its own (AJK,
1974, p. 19). Similarly for J&K, decisions involving external affairs are taken by
the centre as per Article 370 (Bakshi, 2002, pp. 310–312; The Constitution of
India, 1950, pp. 1122–1123). Cross-LoC contact finally came about as a special
arrangement, independent of sovereignty issues, an experiment with peace and an
attempt towards normalization without territorial implications.
Situating the cross-LoC interaction under border studies literature is a chal-
lenge. In fact, the process presents a new paradigm in the realm of border studies.
The LoC is not permanent in nature and neither is it a marked border. Against the
present reality, the LoC interaction, especially trade, at best, is evocative of prox-
imity trade based on cultural commonalities (Felbermayr & Toubal, 2010). The
need to diversify border studies based on multi-perspectivism has been advanced
by leading scholars who insist that the discipline need not be confined to cases
where there is consensus or mutual recognition of borders (Rumford, 2012).
Similarly, in view of the historicity of Kashmir region, the cultural proximities,
social linkages and past economic interdependence, the region spanning both
sides of the LoC could be described as a ‘zone of interaction’ (Konrad & Nicol,
2008, cited in Meena, 2014, p. 63).
In this backdrop, the article is an attempt to examine cross-LoC travel and
trade as an initiative to diffuse the conflict situation in J&K. Several diplomatic
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