IN a recent statement, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar declared that the “era of uninterrupted dialogue” with Pakistan is over and that India is prepared to react to any developments, signalling a further hardening of India’s stance towards a more confrontationist approach. This pronouncement reflects a troubling continuity in the approach of Indian leadership, particularly under the BJP which has consistently demonstrated an unwillingness to engage meaningfully with Pakistan on core issues including that of Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Jaishankar’s assertion that “Article 370 is done” reflects a dismissive attitude towards the complex realities of the Kashmir dispute. His statements are not isolated; they echo a pattern seen with other BJP leaders who have made similar delusional and baseless claims about Jammu and Kashmir. Such rhetoric undermines the potential for constructive dialogue and reflects an entrenched intransigence that hampers the resolution of this long-standing issue. The Kashmir dispute is an internationally recognized conflict, underpinned by several UNSC resolutions that affirm the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination. These resolutions are not merely symbolic; they represent a binding international consensus on how the conflict should be resolved. India’s unilateral actions, such as the abrogation of Article 370, do not alter the international legal framework governing the dispute.
The situation in IIOJK is marked by severe human rights abuses and efforts to alter the region’s demographic composition, which violate international norms and laws. These actions only serve to entrench the resentment of the Kashmiri people, who have consistently rejected Indian occupation. The ongoing oppression and attempts to change the region’s demographic makeup highlight the urgent need for the international community to uphold its commitments to the Kashmiri people. If regions like East Timor and South Sudan can get the right to self-determination, there is no justification for denying the Kashmiri people their fundamental rights. The international community, particularly the UNSC, must take decisive action for the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
