India was once a golden sparrow. The nation accounted for more than one-fourth of the global GDP. For centuries India was the centre of trade, thus, making the state strong economically. Then began the era of foreign invasions. While the Islamists plundered, the British consolidated power and ensured that India became one of the poorest nations in the world, with their derisive socio-economic policies.
It was only after independence that we became the masters of our destiny. But unfortunately, after the Goras left, the power rested with Bhura babus. As a result, India not only was looking coyly at the West for food but was also not able to resolve issues at home and sought international interference. Such has been the implication, that till date we are bearing its brunt and dealing with a hostile neighbour like Pakistan. And it is also courtesy of the Bhura babus that the global community finds it totally normal to meddle into India’s affairs.
The illegal occupation of Kashmir
When India gained its independence on August 15, 1947, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh was presented with two options. They were to either go with India or Pakistan, or be an independent state. Singh chose the latter.
However, in the same year, Jammu and Kashmir was invaded. The invaders occupied a chunk of the state before India could launch a counterattack. The region today is known as POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir). But the UN refers to it as Pakistan Administered Kashmir and the Pakistani establishment calls it ‘Azad Kashmir’ to further their agenda. While India has categorically maintained that it is an internal issue, the global community keeps raking up the issue at their whims and fancies.
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Germany sides with Pakistan
During a press conference alongside Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, called for the engagement of the UN regarding Kashmir.
She asserted that, “Germany too has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir. Therefore, we support intensively the engagement of the United Nations to find peaceful solution in the region.”
The statement was given in response to what Zardari said. Zardari had said that peace inside South Asia would not be possible without the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions.
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Germany gets chided by India
India, however, has strongly rejected the proposition made by Germany. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has asked the European nation to first address the problem of terrorism that emanates from Pakistan rather than a dispute that needs to be resolved bilaterally.
India in its statement told Berlin to not ignore Pakistan’s terror campaign for its ‘self-interest’. In the statement, India reminded Germany that the United Nations Security Council and the Financial Action Task Force “are still pursuing Pakistan-based terrorists involved in the horrific 26/11 attacks.”
While Baerbock mentioned Germany’s role in peace, India said, “When states do not recognise such dangers, either because of self-interest or indifference, they undermine the cause of peace, not promote it. They also do grave injustice to the victims of terrorism.”
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Pakistan is US’ plan B
Recently, US envoy Donald Blome toured the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Informing of the tour, the Embassy of the United States in Pakistan mentioned the region as AJK- ‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir’, echoing the Pakistani claims. The usage of such reference simply signals that the US is exercising its Plan- B, that is balancing between India and Pakistan.
Till now, in America’s camp, it was a yes for a democratic, anti-China India and no for an autocratic, pro-China and pro-Taliban Pakistan. But America has changed and that is clearly visible in 3 more recent steps.
First, US’ F-16 package to Pakistan worth $ 450 million. Second, Biden meeting Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif in an informal meeting. Third, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin hosted an enhanced honour cordon for Pak’s Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Well, the West is investing in Pakistan, but can Pakistan turn out to be an asset?
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Pakistan’s stand on POK
Pakistan exists on the basis of its hatred for India. Still, a Pakistani on a chair as high as the COAS, has been batting for peace with all the regional partners. Pak Army chief Gen Bajwa, recently hinted at peace with India without mentioning Kashmir.
“We must give peace a chance by developing a mechanism to resolve all our bilateral issues peacefully. Moreover, as opposed to fighting each other, we should collectively fight hunger, poverty, illiteracy, population explosion, climate change and disease,” said Bajwa.
As expected, the experts are taken aback with Bajwa’s statements. Indian Army’s Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain stated it wasn’t the first time that Bajwa had come up with such lofty statements. While advocating for peace, Bajwa didn’t make any mention of Kashmir, which is a rarity from the chair.
But what had forced Bajwa to tone down his rhetoric, well the reasons are pretty clear. Pakistan has gone bankrupt. The pumping of unnecessary money to keep its anti-India agenda was already costing Pakistan and now, the devastating floods have wreaked havoc in the nation.
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The Global Community must listen to Bajwa
The people of Pakistan are today looking at India to save them from widespread hunger. Heinous crimes like rape and murder have become a daily affair. The concept of hatred towards India, has swifty become of lesser priority to the common masses of Pakistan. And it seems that Bajwa understands this.
Henceforth, the head of the Rawalpindi bloc has called for peace. Whereas, the political administration, no matter how much diminished it exists, is still holding onto the India card, in order to remain legitimate, not only within the territorial boundaries of Pakistan but also among the global community.
While one of the crucial blocs have dropped the Kashmir card, it is now time for the West to not only have an encounter, but also accept realism and stop interfering in India’s issues for their vote bank politics back home.
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