'J&K emerging as beacon of change under PM Modi’s 11 years of bold reforms'

Srinagar, Jun 9: In a shift from years of terrorism and unrest, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir today stands as a symbol of transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over his 11 years in office, PM Modi has undertaken a series of bold political, security, and development measures that have reshaped J&K ’s trajectory — the most defining being the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

That decision, carried out with the support of Home Minister Amit Shah, ended Jammu & Kashmir’s decades-old special status and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories-Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The move, considered politically risky at that time, was seen as the fulfilment of a long-standing promise by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aimed at fully integrating J&K with the Indian Union.

Since the abrogation, the narrative in J&K has taken a decisive turn toward peace, development, and economic revival. The government has received investment proposals, signaling newfound confidence from the private sector. Projects in sectors ranging from renewable energy and tourism to logistics and IT have begun to take shape.

The UT has also seen the launch of several mega infrastructure projects, including expanded road and rail connectivity — such as completed Udhampur-Baramulla railway line — that have brought remote areas closer to the national mainstream.

Perhaps most striking is the boom in tourism. Once viewed through the lens of security concerns, Kashmir has now become a top tourist destination. In 2023, J&K witnessed a record-breaking tourist footfalls — a testament to both improved law and order and renewed global interest. Destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg have experienced unprecedented hotel occupancy and foot traffic, revitalising the local economy and generating employment.

On the national security front, PM Modi’s tenure has been marked by a significant doctrinal shift. No longer confined to rhetoric and diplomatic protest, India has adopted a more muscular, proactive approach to cross-border terrorism, emanating from Pakistan.

This assertiveness was first visible in the 2016 surgical strikes following the Uri attack and further cemented by the 2019 Balakot airstrikes in response to the Pulwama suicide attack on Paramilitary convoy. Now, India’s upgraded anti-terror doctrine — operationalised through the recent Operation Sindoor — represents a new phase. Under this strategy, Indian forces launched pre-emptive strikes deep within Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), delivering a clear message: there will be severe consequences for any acts of terror directed at Indian citizens. Unlike previous operations, Operation Sindoor was wider in scale and precision, combining airpower, intelligence, and cyber warfare. It underlined India’s strategic shift from reactive to pre-emptive deterrence, raising the cost of terrorism and limiting the operational space for terror groups.

Alongside hard power and economic development, there has also been a visible increase in grassroots political activity. Panchayat and DDC (District Development Council) elections, Assembly Elections have been conducted peacefully, with high voter participation. Civil society initiatives and youth engagement programs have been launched to bring Kashmiri voices into the democratic mainstream. While challenges remain — including sporadic incidents of violence and political opposition from some quarters — the Modi government maintains that the overall security situation has vastly improved, and the momentum is now firmly with progress. PM Modi’s 11 years in office have brought tectonic changes to Jammu & Kashmir, altering not just its administrative status, but its economic, security, and political reality. From being one of India’s most troubled regions to becoming a developmental frontier, the transformation is both symbolic and substantive.