Kashmiris Await Impending Doom As ‘War’ Frenzy Takes Over India-Pakistan

Despite the performative drum beating on both sides, the fact is that an all-out war would weaken both countries. Conversely, it would be to the advantage of world powers, particularly those who sell weapons. These include China, the US, Israel, France, the UK and Russia. 

The UN and several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, have over the past couple of weeks urged restraint, de-escalation, and dialogue. It is notable that the Western media did not take much notice of the Pahalgam bloodbath, but have played up the rising tensions between the subcontinental rivals. 

That could make the crucial difference in a war, for Pakistan may not be able to fight a war without Chinese arms, missiles, funding, fuel and other provisions. For now, the Kashmiris who remain in the first line of fire on either side, can only wait and watch their news screens. 

(The writer is the author of ‘The Story of Kashmir’ and ‘The Generation of Rage in Kashmir’. He can be reached at @david_devadas. This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)