Dr Shabir Choudhry

Kashmir - an Issue of a Nation Not Dispute of a Land: Claims of India and Pakistan, Two Nations Theory, Role of the Un, Militancy and Conflict Resolution Efforts Are Analysed Dr Shabir Choudhry

Sheikh Abdullah Sheikh was assured that if Kashmir became an independent country, America would provide massive economic support, which would make Kashmir a model state for the rest of the world. Sheikh Abdullah said:?I want to state that we want to become independent because by acceding to either India or Pakistan we cannot establish peace in the State. We want to have a friendly relationship with the both countries. It is important that we have economic relations with the both countries. However, an independent Kashmir must be guaranteed by India, Pakistan, America, Britain the UN and other members. I want to see Kashmir as a Switzerland of Asia.' The Communist Party of India also encouraged Sheikh Abdullah to work for an independent Kashmir. The USSR, under Stalin, at that time when the relationship with India was not cordial, encouraged nationalism and autonomy towards independence. One Communist leader said: "With Soviet Union and People's China at our backs we can turn Kashmir into an arsenal for revolutionary movements in India and Pakistan."