The Modi government announced on Monday (18 October) that Dubai has signed an agreement to create infrastructure in Indian-controlled Kashmir, at a time when the region is experiencing a revival of violence.
The memorandum of understanding signed by Dubai, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, is the first investment pact in the sensitive territory signed by a foreign government since Kashmir’s autonomy was lost.
According to the New Delhi government, Dubai will construct infrastructure such as industrial parks, IT towers, multi-purpose buildings, logistics centers, a medical college, and a specialty hospital as part of the arrangement.
Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said in a statement, “The world has started to recognize the pace at which Jammu and Kashmir is traversing on the development bandwagon.” According to the statement, several Dubai-based companies have expressed an interest in investing in Kashmir.
However, investment in the heavily militarized territory is loaded with dangers, as illustrated by a series of attacks on residents and a sweeping crackdown by security forces that has resulted in the deaths of numerous people.
Thousands of migrant laborers in Kashmir were relocated to safer locations overnight on Monday, while hundreds more fled the Himalayan region following a spate of targeted killings.
