Earthquake can ‘help peace’ in Kashmir

THE shared tragedy confronting India and Pakistan in disputed Kashmir could pay dividends for the fragile peace process, experts said yesterday after a massive earthquake left thousands dead there.

“It will certainly help in furthering the peace process,” former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to Washington Lalit Mansingh said.

Joint relief efforts could boost confidence, Mr Mansingh said, noting that Indian and Pakistani civilians as well as the troops that face off across the Kashmiri border had lost their lives in Saturday morning’s massive quake.