Cross-Border Tourism and Confidence Building in J&K across LOC: An approach to improve the quality of life and relationship between two sides of J&K

India and Pakistan have always been indulged in terms of building healthy relationships across LoC. They have initiated a number of measures in Kashmir, including creation of bus services and limited trade relationships across line of control (LoC). There exists lot of imbalances in present scenario and interactions. It is imperative for India and Pakistan to expand cross LoC-confidence building measures and to add new initiatives that would address the imbalances. With the development of cross-border tourism, borders can be made irrelevant by promoting greater contacts through trade, tourism, travel etc. There are various constituencies that favour this practice. These constituencies include traders, civil society, politicians, and professional groups having common interest and wish to establish closer links across the LoC. The trade and travel between India and Pakistan through Kashmir had extended to Tibet, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia. Both India and Pakistan treat cross-border trade as a political and not as an economic confidence-building measure. The cross-border tourism will prove to be an effective boon to the population of J&K in terms of social, economical, political aspects. It can serve two important purposes as an agent of peace and economic boost. There is a vast scope for improvement in the existing interactions and trade relationships between two sides across LoC in J&K with the help of Tourism establishment. Jammu & Kashmir has taken initiative to develop infrastructure. As a result, there is an increased inflow of domestic and international tourists. The tourism establishment among India & Pakistan positively correlates with the immense opportunities to provide employment and improve quality of life of local population.