A Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard in Srinagar, the main city in the India-controlled portion of Kashmir, after an attack on police on February 19, 2021. AFP
A Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard in Srinagar, the main city in the India-controlled portion of Kashmir, after an attack on police on February 19, 2021. AFP
A Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard in Srinagar, the main city in the India-controlled portion of Kashmir, after an attack on police on February 19, 2021. AFP
This month, a five-second Instagram video produced by a 19-year-old woman in Pakistan went viral. In the video, Dananeer Mobin points the camera to her friends as they listen to music and dance while their car is pulled over on the side of a mountain road, with Ms Mobin saying to the viewer in Urdu: “This is our car, this is us, and this is our party.”
Her pronunciation of the word “party” as “pawry” is deliberate – an imitation of elite Pakistanis educated abroad who speak with foreign accents. Urdu and Hindi are mutually intelligible, so Ms Mobin’s video resonated with many not just in her home country, but in neighbouring India, too, where it has racked up millions of views, spawning copycat videos from Indian police departments and Bollywood celebrities alike.
“India and Pakistan are two nations with one soul,” goes an old but oft-repeated cliche. And yet, as much as their history is shared, their present is bitterly divided.
After two years of escalating tensions between the two countries, Ms Mobin inadvertently reminded Indians and Pakistanis how easy it can be for them to share a laugh.
The most recent escalation in tensions on the subcontinent began in February 2019, when India blamed Pakistan-sponsored militants for the deaths of 44 soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir, a disputed area. Six months later, New Delhi revoked Kashmir's autonomous status, provoking anger in Islamabad and a threat to merge Gilgit-Baltistan – a neighbouring disputed area – with the rest of Pakistan. Various clashes since then have resulted in dozens of casualties, including civilian ones, being reported by both sides.
On Friday, however, the two countries' militaries began a mutually agreed total ceasefire. In reality, it is the restoration of a previous one signed in 2003, though after so many years it appears a fresh start. The ceasefire would bring much-needed relief to ordinary Kashmiris who have spent nearly a generation caught in the crossfire. It potentially also represents an important first step towards a normalisation of ties.
But India and Pakistan, it must be mentioned, have been here before. Short periods of peace have often been disrupted by long durations of cross-border fire and violence in the border areas. Indeed, over the past two years, almost 11,000 ceasefire violations have been reported. Trust is at an all-time low.
To bring long-term peace to the Kashmir valley and build a sustainable relationship, the two governments must focus on taking small steps rather than giant strides.
Security personnel stand guard near the site where suspected militants fired at police near Nowgam bypass in Srinagar. At least two policemen were killed and another wounded after militants allegedly opened fire on police party in Nowgam area, local media reported on August 14. AFP
Security personnel and police on patrol in Srinagar. AFP
Inspector-General Vijay Kumar said militants sprayed bullets at the police from a narrow lane. AFP
Reinforcements of counterinsurgency police and soldiers were searching the area for the attackers. AFP
Security personnel gather near the site where suspected militants fired at police near Nowgam bypass in Srinagar. AFP
None of the rebel groups that have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989 immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. AFP
Indian policemen enter homes in Kashmir searching for Anti-India rebels accused of firing on a police convoy in Srinagar, EP
Members of special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police examine at the site of the attack. AP Photo
New Delhi insists on putting the issue of what it sees as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on the table. Islamabad, meanwhile, wants to discuss the future of Kashmir. Talks have stalled with neither government ready to accept the other side’s demand. Rather than digging their heels, however, they could be talking about issues that are more easily resolved. This is important, especially with both countries experiencing economic headwinds and trouble in other border areas: along the Line of Actual Control between India and China and the Durand Line separating Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Beyond it being a feel-good measure, the restoration of trade and cultural exchanges will boost both countries' pandemic-stricken economies. India, a vaccine-manufacturing hub, could extend its "vaccine diplomacy" – afforded thus far to some neighbours and allies – to Pakistan as well. Much else can be done but will require political will and bold leadership.
A dash of humour, provided by Ms Mobin, brought a sense of fraternity and cheer to millions of Indians and Pakistanis, even if it was for a fleeting moment. The task ahead for their officials is to somehow turn such fleeting moments into something more lasting and permanent.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
