Dr Shabana Safdar Khan

Once more, India’s leadership has veered into dangerous territory with provocative remarks about Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), a region that remains a core point of contention between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. In a recent appearance at Chatham House in London, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made the troubling assertion that the “stolen part of Kashmir” — referring to Azad Jammu & Kashmir — must be “returned” to India for the Kashmir dispute to be “solved.” This statement not only reflects a disturbing disregard for historical facts but also further entrenches the animosity between the two nations, potentially undermining any prospects for peaceful dialogue.

Jaishankar’s rhetoric is dangerous, especially in a region fraught with tension and nuclear risks. By labeling Azad Jammu & Kashmir as “stolen,” the Indian minister disregards the internationally recognized status of Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory. As pointed out by Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO), India’s stance and claims over the region cannot alter this fundamental reality. The resolution of the Kashmir conflict must occur through the framework established by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which calls for a free and impartial plebiscite to determine the region’s future.

For decades, India and Pakistan have been at odds over the Kashmir dispute, and Jaishankar’s comments reveal a broader pattern of Indian attempts to escalate the conflict rather than resolve it. India’s ongoing assertions that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, despite the unresolved status of the region, only serve to further poison the well of dialogue. Any attempts by India to change the region’s demographic or constitutional landscape, as has been evident since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, are futile and illegal under international law.

Jaishankar’s remarks are not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of behavior by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, India has relentlessly pursued policies aimed at consolidating its control over the disputed region. The BJP’s government has attempted to present Jammu and Kashmir as a “settled” issue, despite widespread and credible reports that suggest otherwise. The continued militarization of the region, widespread human rights abuses, and the imposition of a communications blackout have all painted a grim picture of the state of affairs in occupied Kashmir.

Numerous international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have documented the severe repression faced by Kashmiris. These abuses include arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the stifling of dissent through curfews and crackdowns on journalists. India’s attempts to force demographic changes in the region, including the settlement of non-local Hindus in Kashmir, are designed to alter the region’s character and undermine the Kashmiri Muslim identity. This has led to greater alienation and resentment among the Kashmiri people, making a peaceful resolution even more elusive.

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In addition to these human rights violations, India has engaged in persistent media manipulation, preventing journalists from reporting on the ground and ensuring that only government-approved narratives are disseminated to the public. The international community’s silence in the face of these abuses speaks volumes about the lack of accountability for India’s actions.

While India continues its hardline stance, Pakistan has consistently extended offers for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his recent address to the AJK Legislative Assembly, reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations with India, provided that Pakistan’s national interests are respected. Pakistan has long sought to engage in a dialogue to address the Kashmir dispute and ensure the protection of human rights in the region. Unfortunately, India’s response has been to reject these overtures and engage in brinkmanship rather than diplomacy.

Pakistan’s call for dialogue has often been met with resistance from Indian officials, who prefer to escalate tensions through inflammatory rhetoric and military posturing. Instead of pursuing diplomatic channels, India’s government seems intent on further entrenching its control over Kashmir, dismissing Pakistan’s concerns, and fueling nationalistic fervor at the cost of regional stability.

As the Kashmir conflict continues to simmer, the international community must play a more active role in promoting peace and holding India accountable for its actions in the disputed region. The rhetoric of Indian leaders, especially in the current climate of heightened tensions, threatens to derail any chance of meaningful dialogue and peacebuilding. Global stakeholders must push for India to return to the negotiating table and uphold the principles of international law that govern the Kashmir dispute.

The United Nations, along with other influential international bodies, should exert pressure on India to engage in dialogue with Pakistan under the framework of the UNSC resolutions. These resolutions have long called for a plebiscite to determine the future of Kashmir, and India’s refusal to comply with these directives only deepens the region’s instability. At the same time, the international community must hold India accountable for its continued human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Indian government to end its repression of Kashmiris and to allow independent observers to assess the situation on the ground.

In these challenging times, it is crucial that India abandon its reckless rhetoric and engage in diplomacy with Pakistan. The status of Jammu and Kashmir must be determined through peaceful means, as per the UN Security Council resolutions, and not through unilateral actions or inflammatory remarks. The rhetoric coming from Indian leaders, particularly with respect to Azad Jammu & Kashmir, risks further escalating tensions and could lead to destabilization in the region.

For lasting peace in South Asia, India must prioritize dialogue over aggression and rhetoric. The Kashmir conflict is not an issue that can be resolved through military might or nationalist posturing. A sustainable solution requires cooperation, respect for human rights, and adherence to international laws. Until both India and Pakistan engage in honest dialogue and respect each other’s concerns, the region will continue to face the looming threat of conflict.

In conclusion, India’s recent remarks about Azad Jammu & Kashmir are not only historically inaccurate but also counterproductive to the peace efforts in the region. If both nations are to avoid the catastrophic consequences of further escalation, it is imperative that they embrace dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Global stakeholders must hold India accountable for its actions and help facilitate the dialogue needed for long-term stability in South Asia.