With Indo-Pak ties continuing to deteriorate, India continues to make unsavory and false allegations of Pakistan supporting cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit was “summoned” by his Indian counterpart where he lodged a protest over capturing an apparent Pakistani national Bahadur Ali, who was apprehended recently in Kashmir during an encounter. Mr Abdul Basit on the other hand has denied that the man is from Pakistan and has dismissed these allegations by stating simply, “New Delhi should change its attitude.”
An attitude change is not on the cards for the Machiavellian BJP. The Indian premier appeases his ultra-nationalist party and fails utterly to sustain a working, diplomatic link with Pakistan. His recent comments on Kashmir are a testament to his negligence as a leader who has failed to address violence against people living under his governance. He appealed to residents of Indian-Held-Kashmir (IHK) to shun violence while keeping the Himalayan region under a security lock down and curfew that has lasted longer than any other in the past. Can he appeal to the Indian security forces to do the same?
It was the first time he commented publicly on the recent situation in Kashmir, and that too after a month of deadly violence and bloodshed. The callousness has been noticed by his opposition, and not just by Pakistan and Kashmir. The Kashmiri Opposition, the National Conference, asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to understand that the present turmoil in Kashmir was not due to lack of development but unwillingness of the centre to address the Kashmir issue.
Regardless of Indian attitudes, Pakistan must focus on its Kashmir Policy and what is best for the Kashmiri people. We support them in their right to self-determination and our diplomats and ambassadors must be armed with multiple strategies to deal with Indian aggression come November when PM Modi will be in Pakistan for the SAARC summit.