Kashmir is on fire and the Modi government appears to be tackling this issue by bringing Pakistan's interference to the attention of international community. The idea is to gain the world's backing in its quest to stop Pakistan's interference, and at the same time, send a message to its domestic constituencies and the military that it is doing something regarding the attack on its army base. This strategy, however, comes with an occasional backlash as Pakistan also utilizes the same forum to bring attention to Kashmir and send a message to its own constituencies who have been promised Azad Kashmir since pre-1947. And back and forth they go.
Modi's focus on persuading the international community that Pakistan is in the wrong is a limited strategy due to the fact that Pakistan is a strategic partner for some super powers and regularly employs non-state forces. Its rulers have the simple advantage of deniability. It also geographically lies at the heart of the battle for resources and routes of Central Asia, a position it has successfully promoted for couple of decades now. China's recent statement to India about Baluchistan highlights this reality. A bit of a c'est la vie there for India.
Focus on diplomacy as a primary solution to dissatisfaction in Kashmir also doesn't do much for India when it comes to its relations with other Muslim-dominated countries as illustrated by the recent OIC meeting. Why does the all-hands condemnation of shooting of Kashmiri protestors come as a surprise? While some may not approve of Pakistan's interference, they definitely do not approve of shooting Kashmiris with pellets or otherwise. These are not mutually exclusive as it is sometimes portrayed in Indian media. Countries, Muslim-dominated or otherwise, can condemn both acts simultaneously.
The solution to the problem lies within as the roots of dissatisfaction are also within. Kashmiris constantly confront lack of representation in the world's largest democracy, presence of security forces, stilted economy, transferring of land issues that challenge Article 370, and large amounts of money being poured into controlling people since 1947 versus ensuring the well-being of the people. And let's not forget the growing religious nature of the Centre, which enhances minority apprehensions, i.e., killing people for possibly eating beef? The more viable solution does lie in looking inwards because that's where the Kashmiris are as are their problems. They are the ones that protest, pick up rocks, and clash with soldiers. And they are not simply doing this because they are Muslims.