Re: Ways to settle kashmir issue...
To all those who talked of taking P.o.K in the next war,
Yes, Kashmir is a strategic asset, yes it is absolutely an inseparable part of India, and yes, if another war breaks out, we will prevail upon them. But let's look at the issue from a larger perspective, taking into consideration the only remaining hope/savior of Pakistan, China.
What does China want from Pakistan?
1. An irritant to tie down India
2. An energy corridor and access to Arabian Sea.
It is a matter of conjecture as to how much value China attaches to the first point in its relations with Pak, but it sure does want the 2nd point, a want that will greatly magnify as and when China's naval reach is freed from its current constraints.
As such, if we do wish to annex territory in a war with Pak, why not turn Pak into a landlocked nation? It secures the Arabian Sea against Chinese bases/assets, and at the same times puts us in a commanding position over Pakistan.
Yes, we could cut China off by capturing PoK too, but at the extremely difficult terrain and atrocious weather, it will be a long,slow difficult haul before we cut them off. And there is always the danger of China coming to Pak's direct rescue. However, towards the Arabian Sea, we will enjoy unmatched naval and aerial dominance, as well as favorable terrain for amphibious assaults and rapid advances. Also given the locations of Pakistan's armored formations, it will be quite a while before they can redeploy to such a new, unexpected front.
Just my 2 cents worth of thought.