Synopsis
Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years by A.S. Dulat, co-authored with Aditya Sinha, is a compelling memoir that offers an insider’s perspective on the complex and turbulent history of Kashmir, particularly during the late 1980s to the early 2000s, with a focus on the tenure of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004). Dulat, a former chief of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and a key figure in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), draws on his extensive experience in Kashmir to narrate the region’s descent into chaos, the Indian government’s efforts to restore stability, and the delicate balance of diplomacy, intelligence, and dialogue that characterized Vajpayee’s approach to the Kashmir issue. The book begins with the pivotal moment in 1989 when Srinagar became a ghost town amid rising militancy, triggered by the release of separatist JKLF members in exchange for Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of the Union home minister. This event, as Dulat describes, emboldened separatist sentiments, with many Kashmiris believing that “azaadi” (freedom) was within reach, leading to an escalation of violence, including daily killings, bomb explosions, and the targeting of IB officers, many of whom were Kashmiri Pandits.
Dulat provides a vivid account of the 1990s, a period marked by the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, which he attributes to the chaotic security situation rather than solely blaming then-governor Jagmohan. He details the Indian state’s struggle to regain control, highlighting the personal toll on intelligence officers and the slow, arduous process of countering insurgency. The narrative shifts to the Vajpayee years, which Dulat considers a high point in India’s engagement with Kashmir. Vajpayee’s approach, rooted in dialogue and reconciliation, involved engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including mainstream politicians like Farooq Abdullah, separatist leaders from the Hurriyat Conference, and even disillusioned militants. Dulat emphasizes Vajpayee’s belief that Kashmir was a problem that required a solution, not just management, and his willingness to pursue peace despite setbacks like the 1999 Kargil War and the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament. The book reveals behind-the-scenes efforts, such as Vajpayee’s outreach to Pakistan’s Pervez Musharraf, who proposed a four-point formula for Kashmir involving free movement across the Line of Control, autonomy, demilitarization, and joint management. Dulat laments that the defeat of Vajpayee’s government in 2004 and the subsequent exile of Musharraf halted what could have been a transformative peace agreement.
The memoir also explores the intricate dynamics of Kashmir’s political landscape, shedding light on the psyche of its people, the disillusionment of militants with Pakistan’s ISI, and the complex interplay between India and Pakistan, who often treated Kashmir as a geopolitical chessboard. Dulat’s personal anecdotes, such as his interactions with figures like Abdul Gani Lone and Shabir Shah, underscore his philosophy of “talking, talking, talking” as a strategy to win over adversaries and stabilize the region. He portrays New Delhi’s engagement as a mix of coercion, cunning, and dialogue, though he critiques its tendency to prioritize short-term crisis management over long-term resolution. The book also touches on the role of separatists, who were often manipulated by both India and Pakistan, and the challenges faced by elected leaders like Farooq Abdullah, whom Dulat admires but notes was sometimes undermined by the central government’s unfulfilled promises, such as autonomy within the Indian Constitution.
Dulat’s narrative is not without controversy, as he reflects on his sympathetic view of some militant figures, describing them as misguided rather than inherently evil, a stance that has drawn criticism from readers who view such figures as terrorists. He also acknowledges the failures of both the Congress and BJP governments in fully addressing Kashmiri aspirations, suggesting that the Indian state’s duplicitous strategies sometimes hindered genuine progress. The book concludes with a call for renewed dialogue and a return to Vajpayee’s pragmatic yet compassionate approach, emphasizing that mainstreaming Kashmiris through inclusion and respect is key to lasting peace. Written in a conversational style that reads like a thriller, Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years is both a historical account and a meditation on the elusive quest for peace in one of India’s most troubled regions, offering readers a nuanced, if occasionally one-sided, perspective from a seasoned intelligence officer who remained deeply connected to Kashmir’s people and politics.