SOFT BORDERS
A focus on establishing "soft borders" between India and Pakistan, rather than a final settlement of boundaries in Kashmir, can lead to New Delhi's rapid integration into an expanded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said a Chinese academician.
Concept of "soft borders"
One that avoids a "hard" settlement of disputed boundaries, offers a way forward for regional cooperation. People on both sides of the border should be able to move freely.
Advantage of such borders
An endorsement of "soft borders" by New Delhi and Islamabad would address India's core objection to the CPEC - its passage through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Already suggested
The concept of "soft borders" as a pragmatic solution to the Kashmir dispute is not new. In 2005, shortly after a bus service from Srinagar and Muzaffarabad had started, Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf had called the opening of cross-border transport routes as "the first step towards converting [the Line of Control] into a soft border".
Beyond 'soft borders'
Also, Pakistan and Afghanistan should accept 'soft borders' as the touchstone for resolving their differences along the Durand Line.
Afghanistan is the "heart of Asia". In the future, efforts must be made to connect Afghanistan with Balochistan. Also a common initiative by China and India to impart stability to Afghanistan must be undertaken.
Instead of developing as rival hubs, the Iranian port of Chabahar, and Gwadar should come up as "sister-ports". Chabahar, which is being jointly developed by Iran, India and Afghanistan, and Gwadar, are separated from each other by only around 100 km.