The almost childish diplomatic techniques employed by India and the Modi government in its latest attempt to divert attention from the Kashmir issue are worthy of a good eye-roll. Prime Minister Modi, instead of sending negotiators to the people of Kashmir, huddled with all the political parties and tried to come up with ways undermine Pakistan and sow the seeds of disharmony in Balochistan and the Pakistani side of Kashmir.

India does not have a leg to stand on where its abuses of Kashmiri rights are concerned, thus Modi tried some deflection tactics by saying that India would expose human rights abuses in Balochistan. The government has no proof or evidence of any injustices committed by Pakistan in Azad Kashmir, which is why it is clutching at straws.

India, over the past 69 years, has constantly reiterated that Pakistan’s interest in Indian-Held-Kashmir (IHK) is determined by our support for militancy and terrorism in the area. India does not recognise Pakistan’s claim, which is fine, but it makes one wonder just why it would support the separatist movement in Balochistan, if not to ferment terrorism itself? Does the Indian government then, not even shy away from the horrendous accusation of being behind the Quetta blast, specifically targeted against civilians?

Pakistan’s stake in Kashmir is not like India’s meddling in Balochistan; there is a legitimate Pakistani claim through shared heritage and a flawed partition succession. If Pakistan was to start thinking like the Indian government, then it would start highlighting issues such as the (now) non-violent, Khalistan movement, the United Liberation Front of Assam’s demand for a separate homeland or even the Naxalite movement that has conducted a number of attacks across the Indian state. Maybe the Indian government should look within its borders, before trying to accuse others and denying that there are genuine atrocities being committed in IHK, and no matter how hard the Indian state tries, Pakistan will continue to take part in that discussion.