The Narendra Modi government on Monday, in a historic move revoked the special status given to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh; and concluded the process of complete amalgamation of the said regions with India which had started with the signing of Instrument of Accession between then princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and Dominion of India nearly 72 years ago in October of 1947.
The announcement of the revocation was made by Union Minister Amit Shah in both the houses of parliament, what followed were nationwide celebrations nonetheless some political parties were not happy with developments and had registered their opposition to this critical change of status-quo.
Along with several political parties, India’s rouge neighbour Pakistan was also fast to cry foul over this move, which would essentially dismantle the terror complex in the region that Pakistan had nurtured for long. An official statement from Pakistan read, “Strongly condemns and rejects the announcements made today by the Indian government.”
“No unilateral step by the government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the UNSC resolutions. Nor will this ever be acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan,” the statement said.
“As a party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps.”
“Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination,” it added.
However despite much hue and cry by Pakistan over the said developments; the international community has respected India’s sovereignty and refrained from making any statement regarding the developments. Nonetheless gauging the sensitivity of the matter India had already streamlined the major announcement by taking into confidence India’s global partners.
According to news reports, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other senior officials of the Indian foreign ministry have briefed all 15 members which also includes P5 countries — US, UK, France, Russia and China of the UN Security Council “in light of the interest expressed by the diplomatic community in Delhi”.
India had also pointed out that the proposals made in the Parliament on Monday were “aimed at providing good governance, promoting social justice and ensuring economic development in Jammu and Kashmir.” Reports had also emerged that PM Modi had taken into confidence the major leaders regarding some big changes with regard to Kashmir.
Political analysts have indicated that Pakistan is poised to raise the Kashmir issue at all possible fora, including at the forthcoming session of the UN General Assembly in September this year. However, the proactive approach of the Modi administration made sure that Pakistan’s sinister plans to mislead the international community on the matter do not materialize and relative lack of international reactions on abrogation of 370 only shows the diplomatic heft of PM Modi in the international community.
Pakistan is already facing the heat from the international community over terror emanating from within Pakistani territory and now by churning controversy over India’s sovereign matter, it is sure to further deteriorate its already fragile diplomatic standing. This move by the Indian parliament is also sure to further impact Pakistan which has illegally occupied large swathes of land in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and pave way for the reclamation of the rightful Indian sovereign territory.