New Delhi: The Indian Government’s decision of repealing Article 370 that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation has received sharp reactions from Pakistan with Islamabad mulling to exercise all possible options, including appealing to the UN, to counter India’s move, what it calls “illegal and unilateral’ step.
The Pakistan Government claims that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory and no unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
Pakistan has summoned the Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad to register the country’s “unequivocal rejection” of India’s decision, simultaneously ramping up efforts to mobilise international support against the move.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke with the leaders of Turkey and Malaysia to brief them on the situation.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan would request and appeal to the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, friendly countries and human rights organisations not to remain silent on this issue.
The logic given by Home Minister Amit Shah for passing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill is to remove the autonomy of J&K and allow its full integration into the Indian Union.
All these efforts of Pakistan are going to be useless as the Modi government has been maintaining a good rapport with world leaders and the issue is an internal matter for India. Any reaction from world leaders on the issue will be cautious and thee may not be any cause for worry for India.
The rationale offered for seeking abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is to remove the autonomy of J&K and allow its full integration into the Indian Union.
Kashmir, for too long, has been behind the development curve. It has been engulfed by political violence, become a playground for Pakistan’s military and spy agency, and, religious radicalism. Status quo has now been broken — and all observers must concede that status quo was not helping.
The application of progressive Indian laws in the state; the creation of mechanisms to implement the Centre’s welfare schemes in the state; the ability of Indians from the rest of the country to invest freely and buy property in Kashmir; and the opening up of economic opportunities will all help in cementing Kashmir with India more substantially.
The decision of the Government of India to do away with the Article 370 and end the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir has been welcomed by various quarters. It was expected that the issue will lead to sharp reactions from other countries at the behest of Pakistan. But it seems that the world has understood the misnomers given by Pakistan relating to Kashmir.
While Kashmir is an internal matter for India, abrogation of Article 370 by India has not defied any international treaty.
The foreign governments are expected to maintain a caution while commenting or reacting to the Kashmir issue as it may affect the good will between the countries. Though a few Islamic countries are expected to support Pakistan’s concerns, it will not have much effect.
India Government has been in constant touch with world leaders on the issue and has been appraising the developments regularly. Even after 24 hours past the decision, the reactions have been subdued and muted.