How long will the world ignore the Kashmir issue?

There is no denying that the Indian government has failed to protect its minorities while the situation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir is becoming graver day by day as the Modi government is making efforts to end the special status of the valley and integrate the disputed state into the Indian Union. This is not acceptable either to the people of the valley or Pakistan, a party to the dispute, which remains an international issue. The legal protection to the Indian troops in the guise of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has continued over the years, allowing the Indian forces to deal with the Kashmiris cruelly.
Recently, the Indian prime minister during his visit to the occupied valley announced a $12 billion economic aid package. Modi claimed he wanted to restore Kashmir to its “former glory” and “build a new Kashmir, a powerful Kashmir.” This was countered by the Kashmiris in general and the Hurriyat leaders in particular. Syed Ali Geelani declared that only providing the promised right to self-determination will change the fate of Kashmir, not mere economic packages. This rejectionist sentiment towards the package was widespread.
As expected the Valley was put on a high alert ahead of Modi’s visit. The internet was blocked, undeclared daytime curfew was imposed in Srinagar with snipers on rooftops supported by road obstacles, concertina razor wires, armoured vehicles and sniffer dogs. These were complemented by large number of Indian Army and law enforcement agencies personnel. The average Kashmiri was not amused.
In a hearing on the occasion of Modi’s government’s election in 2014, Tom Lantos of the Human Rights Commission had stated: “The United States has for many years expressed concern over violence against minorities in India.” He said it was important that the United States reinforced the message after a new government was elected. He added that the Human Rights Watch “continued to urge the Obama administration to press India to enact a stronger law to prevent communal violence; strengthen existing human rights commissions such as the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which monitor the rights of religious minorities, Dalits, and tribal groups; repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act; discipline or prosecute as appropriate members of the security forces, regardless of rank, who unjustifiably fail to stop violence or do not act impartially during events of communal violence; enact a strong law against torture that conforms with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.”
Unfortunately, the Obama administration and other western governments have looked the other way, the result being that the situation in India for minorities besides the Indian-occupied Kashmir has deteriorated. The major international players are maintaining a criminal silence over the developments in Kashmir as the temptation of lucrative Indian markets overrides widespread concerns over human rights.