Marking one year since the 2025 Pahalgam massacre in J&K’s Baisaran Valley – where terrorists targeted tourists based on faith, claiming 26+ lives – economist Haseeb Drabu, ex-Finance Minister of J&K, dissects India’s evolving terror fight.
In a candid IANS interview, Drabu points to a ‘doctrinal shift’ in anti-terror policy. ‘Gone are the days of prolonged processes; now it’s direct, firm action,’ he states. This proactive stance has reshaped national security.
Public mood has transformed too. Mainstream cinema and popular discourse endorse aggressive countermeasures, signaling broad societal backing. Critics may call it propaganda, but Drabu sees it as genuine national unity against terror.
Contrast this with Kashmir’s ground reality: enhanced security hasn’t eliminated threats. Tourism tanked last year; this year’s tulip season was a disappointment, crippling local businesses and incomes.
Beyond finances, reduced footfall erodes interpersonal ties across India. Tourists foster empathy and integration – their absence weakens the social fabric. Economically minor at under 8%, tourism’s intangible benefits are irreplaceable.
Since 2019’s administrative overhaul, pledges of development rang hollow amid sluggish growth. External pressures, including global tariffs, batter key sectors like apples, impacting livelihoods.
Drabu calls for introspection: reassess commitments, prioritize reforms, and ignite economic momentum. Kashmir edges toward recovery, but full stabilization needs government-people dialogue and supportive policies to rebuild confidence.
