The Muslims of Kashmir (there are Hindus, Sikhs and Budhhists there as well) are predominantly Sufis.

Sufism, a gentle philosophy resulting from centuries of amalagamation of the best Islamic traditions with Hindu and Buddhist ideas, bears very little, if any, resemblance to the militant Sunni and Shite interpretations of Islam elsewhere. As such, it may be best if the Sufis collectively decide to convert to Buddhism, thus paving the way for the peaceful resolution of this conflict.

For a more balanced perspective on the whole Kashmir issue, see the following site:

 http://www.kashmir-information.com/fundamentalism.html

The threat of war between India and Pakistan is yet another threat to this fragile world. As the USA declared its intentions to target any country harbouring terrorists, it now seems that yet another country now feels justified in doing the same. If we are to read between the lines, might it not be in the USA's interest to promote hostilities towards Pakistan? After all their no.1 enemy could well be taking shelter there - maybe the CIA knows all about manipulation when it comes to terrorist acts. Those behind the Indian government attack may well be able to ascertain this.

As for the people of both these countries, they have only two choices - to go along with their governments, or to find their own strength and rise up and let humanity speak.

The South Asians cannot oppose war if they are
crushed by Rupert Murdoch's propaganda machine.
In London you can do a lot to help limit the damage:

 http://india.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=460

The Kashmiri's that I know want independence from both India and Pakistan. They simply want to live a safe and free existence; logical and understandable but not likely to happen.

i like the idea mentioned of moving towards a more buddhist philosophy, towards the way of peace.

I also feel that India is looking at (what it often considers) its mentor - the u.s. With the u.s. bombing afghanistan, india (suddenly) feels warranted in doing the same, seeing the problem with Kashmir as being a case of terrorism when it clearly is not.

India needs to see that the u.s. is not setting a healthy example, and certainly not one that they should follow. Much of the world feels that what the u.s. is doing is wrong, and india felt that same way intially, until they decided that it may be a way to acquire Kashmir, much in the same way that the u.s is working towards acquiring afghanistan to steal their oil.

So it seems to be an issue of greed. The only way to help others see their way around that is to prove it's temporary and superficial value, that in the long run, it is the sure demise of us all.

seems kashmir is an economic priority as the silk road gets plans for revamping...asphalt anyone?

 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agentsmiley/message/422