New Delhi is hopeful that the train to Kashmir will give it a firmer grip on the region, both in terms of fighting the internal discontent and facing hostile neighbors.
印度希望,无论是在对抗内部不满情绪方面,还是在面对敌对邻国方面,这趟通往克什米尔的列车将使其对该地区的控制更加牢固。
“Military capability is measured not only in terms of soldiers and equipment but the ability to apply military force at selected areas,” says D.S. Hooda, former northern commander of the Indian army.
印度陆军前北方指挥官胡达表示:“军事能力不仅取决于士兵和装备,还取决于在选定地区动用军事力量的能力。”
“This requires infrastructure to move large forces. The railway line is a significant step in this direction.”
“这需要基础设施来调动大规模部队。这条铁路线是朝这个方向迈出的重要一步。”
Yet for local Kashmiris, the situation is more complex.
然而对于当地的克什米尔人来说,情况更加复杂。
Are the opportunities worth the risks?
这些机会值得冒险吗?
“The rail will give easy access to faraway markets for Kashmiri produce like apples, the main produce from the region. But it will increase the flow of outsiders,” says Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a political observer from the region.
“这条铁路将使克什米尔的苹果等农产品很容易进入遥远的市场,苹果是该地区的主要农产品。但这将增加外来人口的流动,”该地区的政治观察人士谢赫·肖卡特·侯赛因说。
And due to new policies, they may feel empowered to stay, he adds.
他补充说,由于新的政策,他们可能会觉得有权力保持现状。
Since 2019, when India’s Bharatiya Janata Party government unilaterally revoked Kashmir’s limited autonomy and imposed a regionwide communication blackout to quell dissent, New Delhi has persistently pushed policies that would give nonlocals the same rights that native residents enjoy.
自2019年以来,印度人民党政府单方面取消了克什米尔的有限自治权,并中断了该地区的通信以平息异议,印度一直在推行政策,让非本地人享有与当地居民相同的权利。
The Election Commission of India recently announced plans to give voting rights to people who are temporarily living in the region, a move that has stirred outrage among native Kashmiris and local political leaders.
印度选举委员会最近宣布,计划给予暂时居住在该地区的人投票权,此举激起了克什米尔本地人和当地政治领导人的愤怒。
The move is expected to add about 2.5 million voters to the region, including Indian military personnel, marking a 30% increase in the electoral rolls.
预计此举将为该地区增加约250万选民,其中包括印度军事人员,这意味着选举人数增加了30%。
There has been an increase in violence against minority Hindus and nonlocals since 2019.
自2019年以来,针对少数印度人和非克什米尔当地人的暴力事件有所增加。
At least two dozen have been killed by rebels fighting New Delhi’s rule, with one group releasing a statement warning that “anyone involved in the demographic change of Kashmir will meet the same fate.”
至少有24人被反抗印度统治的叛乱分子杀害,其中一个组织发表声明警告称,“任何参与克什米尔人口变化的人都将面临同样的命运。”
Hundreds of local Hindus have fled from the region following the targeted killings and others have been protesting, demanding their safety and relocation.
在有针对性的杀戮过后,当地数百名印度人逃离了该地区,其他人则一直在抗议,要求保证他们的安全和重新安置住所。
Some say the chaos isn’t worth the trade opportunity – especially considering the narrow nature of that opportunity.
一些人说,混乱的局面不值得换取这个贸易机会——尤其是考虑到这个机会的狭隘性质。