World Boston, the largest non profit in International affairs organized a talk on India, Pakistan and Disputed Kashmir by Ayesha Jalal,Professor of History, the Fletcher School, Tufts University on March 10th in Boston. The talk was part of a series on the Role of US in the relationships of the two countries.

The afternoon session was styled in a round table setting with Professor Jalal reading from her notes and a slide show in the background. The talk was attended by journalists from India and Pakistan who came as interns to WBUR. Other prominent members of the media, students and participants interested in South Asian politics were present.

Prof Jalal outlined the historical development of both nations and their present animosity. For years, she said any diplomatic level talks between India and Pakistan have remained as daggers drawn. There have been peace making efforts with the market seemingly to be taking precedence with soap operas, films and lately through the game of cricket. But Jalal argues that these approaches have been tested again and again with fewer results and called for a fresh new way of thinking. This, she hopes will come when the policy makers from both sides make a commitment to take a bold new approach.

Jalal made a case for the sovereignty of Kashmir on the basis that the world is moving on and clamoring for change so the two nations should look for solutions for promoting imaginative ideas. Her theory that a shared sovereignty of Kashmir by both nations will bring about peace brought many reactions from the audience. One participant questioned the legitimacy of the proposition and the domino effect it could have over neighboring states. Another person hailing from Kashmir maintained that a majority of Kashmiris did not want a separate Kashmir and quoted a recent poll that indicated that.

Others like Sarah Wolff who had come to educate herself for a mock up UN session among students found the idea refreshing and commended the Professor for thinking along these lines. One participant found the talk ponderous and the matter too academic as the Professor read out all along from a text and said that they would have appreciated a handout. The slide show was engaging at times with a touch of humor and drew some laughs when in one slide President Bush was seen plastered over a Pakistani Rupee.

Jeffrey Robbins, President of World Boston was the moderator and gave an overview of the kind of programs the organization offers. World Boston mission is to offer a forum for issues that promote international thinking and offer cultural perspectives in individuals and organizations. The organization provides one to one dialog, networking and personal and professional growth for residents , businesses and institutions of Greater Boston and around the globe. It acts as a catalyst for global engagement.

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