The prime ministers of India and Pakistan have offered to help each other in efforts to alleviate flood havoc in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, lowering tension between the rival nations after weeks of army clashes and heated rhetoric.
Kashmir is divided by one of the world’s deadliest and most heavily militarised borders. Both the Indian and Pakistani sides have been ravaged by floods that have killed at least 239 people as rivers burst their banks after heavy rain.
The disaster, which left large parts of Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, deep in water, comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled high-level peace talks and accused Pakistan of fighting a “proxy war.” The Hindu nationalist leader’s tone was more conciliatory in a letter to his Pakistani counterpart on Sunday.
“It is a matter of great distress that the retreating monsoon rains have played havoc in many parts of our two countries,” Modi wrote to Nawaz Sharif, according to excerpts released by his office.
“In this hour of need, I offer any assistance that you may need in the relief efforts that will be undertaken by the government of Pakistan. Our resources are at your disposal.”
Pakistan’s foreign ministry reciprocated, saying the government was “ready to help in whatever way possible to mitigate the suffering of the people affected by the floods” in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
It is unlikely either side will accept the other’s offer of help, given the military sensitivities in the region, where hundreds of thousands of troops have faced off for decades.
Both prime ministers flew over their respective areas of Kashmir on Sunday to review the extent to the flooding.
At least 175 people have been killed by flash floods and landslides on the Indian side of the de facto border, while Pakistan’s Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority said 64 deaths had so far been reported. “Most deaths have been caused by houses collapsing, landslides and incidents of drowning,” said Akram Sohail, the head of the organization. “Over 29,406 people have been affected in around 120 villages.”
