Malik M.Ashraf<\/p>\n
The relations between Pakistan and India have never been cordial or normal ever since India landed its troops in Srinagar on 27 October 1947, consequent upon the dispute regarding the accession of Kashmir to either India or Pakistan. Though India accepted the UN resolutions to settle the issue through a UN-sponsored plebiscite, it has never exhibited sincerity in fulfilling its obligations in this regard. The acceptance of the UN resolutions was likely a time-buying tactic by India.
\nIn 1957, India unilaterally declared the accession of Kashmir to India and has adhered to that position to this day, notwithstanding the fact that the UN, through its Resolutions 91 and 122, unequivocally rejected the Indian move and reiterated that the question of accession could not be settled by any means other than a plebiscite under the auspices of the UN.
\nThe two countries have fought four wars, and between these, several efforts have been made to move towards an amicable resolution of the Kashmir issue and other contentious matters. However, regrettably, the outcomes have never been encouraging because, on each occasion, India found excuses to withdraw from the process of normalisation.
\nThe relations between the two countries have deteriorated to an unprecedented level since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister of India. This unending nosedive in relations is attributable to Modi\u2019s persistent hostility towards Pakistan and his defiant action of repealing Article 370 of the Indian constitution, which gave special status to IIOJK, its bifurcation into two territories, and their annexation to the Indian Union. Though Pakistan reacted strongly to this move and invited the attention of the international community to the flouting of the UN resolutions by India and the atrocities perpetrated on the people of IIOJK in response to their resistance, the international community, as well as the UN, did little substantive to dissuade India from its actions. Even the reiteration by the UNSC that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved in conformity with the principles of the UN Charter and relevant resolutions did not soften India\u2019s adamant attitude.
\nJust two days after scrapping Article 370, Narendra Modi is on record saying: \u201cThe nation took a historic decision by scrapping Article 370, which will ensure equal rights and duties for the citizens of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The decision has amounted to the realisation of dreams of many of the distinguished leaders of the past.\u201d In his following Independence Day speech, he stated that his government had achieved in seven months what had not been accomplished in the last seventy years, fulfilling the dream of Vallabhbhai Patel.
\nIndia insisted that it was an internal matter warranting no outside interference. To present a fa\u00e7ade of normalcy in the state, it held local body elections in 2020 and, more recently, provincial assembly elections. In the local body elections, the National Conference and the People\u2019s Democratic Party formed an alliance against the BJP to contest the elections, aiming to restore IIOJK\u2019s special status and statehood. Both these parties, in the past, maintained pro-India postures. The alliance achieved a majority except in Jammu.
\nIn the elections for the IIOJK assembly, the Congress-National Conference alliance delivered a resounding defeat to the BJP, claiming 49 seats out of 90, with the National Conference securing 42 seats. The BJP managed only 29 seats. These results reflect rejection of Modi\u2019s oppressive policies, most notably the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. Notably, the assembly, in its very first session, adopted a resolution for the restoration of the state\u2019s special status, providing a clear testament to the people of IIOJK\u2019s refusal to accept Modi\u2019s actions.
\nNevertheless, Modi remains adamant. Speaking in the Lok Sabha amidst clashes between Congress and BJP MPs, he stated that no power in the world could restore Jammu and Kashmir\u2019s partial autonomy and that Article 370 had been \u201cburied in the graveyard.\u201d
\nWith the international community and the UN showing indifference to the situation, there seems to be no chance of any dialogue between the two countries to normalise relations.
\nThe dilemma is that despite Pakistan\u2019s desire to live in peace with all its neighbours and resolve issues through dialogue, India remains disinclined to engage. In June this year, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated that \u201cthe era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done.\u201d To worsen matters, India is now insisting on renegotiating the Indus Water Treaty.
\nAs they say, it takes two to tango. Issues between India and Pakistan cannot be resolved if only one party shows intent and commitment. While India maintains its stance, Pakistan considers Kashmir its jugular vein and will never back down from its position of settling the dispute in accordance with UN resolutions. Improving relations is inconceivable without resolving the Kashmir dispute.
\nGiven the prevailing situation, there is no hope of India showing willingness to discuss the contentious issues, at least as long as Modi remains in power. In light of these realities, false hopes should be avoided, such as those raised by the media when the Indian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan for the SCO summit. It was an international conference, not a bilateral visit. There were no meetings scheduled and no requests from either side. A simple handshake, a routine courtesy on such occasions, cannot be construed as an auspicious development.<\/p>\n
The writer is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at ashpak10@gmail.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Malik M.Ashraf The relations between Pakistan and India have never been cordial or normal ever since India landed its troops in Srinagar on 27 October 1947, consequent upon the dispute regarding the accession of Kashmir to either India or Pakistan. Though India accepted the UN resolutions to settle the issue through a UN-sponsored plebiscite, it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[3489],"class_list":{"0":"post-445166","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-malik-m-ashraf"},"yoast_head":"\n