S. Jaishankar’s Strong Remarks on Kashmir and Pakistan’s Occupation

In a recent address at London’s prestigious Chatham House, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar made significant remarks about the Kashmir issue and the Indian government’s steps to address it. He discussed the improvements made in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted the importance of the return of the region illegally occupied by Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue completely. His comments, which continue to stir political debates, underscored India’s stance on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and its commitment to reclaiming it.

Resolving Kashmir’s Issues Through Government Actions

S. Jaishankar highlighted the series of actions taken by the Indian government, which have been instrumental in addressing the complex situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He started by focusing on the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, a crucial move that effectively removed Jammu and Kashmir’s special status within India. He emphasized that this was a pivotal first step in resolving Kashmir’s problems.

Jaishankar further discussed the Indian government’s efforts to restore economic activity and growth in the region, as well as the enhancement of social justice. According to him, the steps taken have led to improvements in Kashmir’s infrastructure, economy, and overall quality of life. This, he argued, was essential for the region’s prosperity and long-term stability.

The third critical step was the successful conduct of elections in the Union Territory, with a significant voter turnout, signaling that the people of Kashmir are fully participating in the democratic process. For Jaishankar, these actions were clear indicators of progress in resolving the Kashmir issue and were aimed at ensuring a brighter future for the region.

Waiting for the Return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

Despite these developments, Jaishankar pointed out that the unresolved issue of Kashmir still remains tied to the part of Jammu and Kashmir currently under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. He described this territory as the “stolen part” of Kashmir that needs to be returned to India. Jaishankar was clear in his stance, stating that once this part of Kashmir is reclaimed, the Kashmir issue would be fully resolved.

He expressed confidence that this remaining issue, which involves Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), would be resolved in due time, aligning with India’s longstanding position on the matter. Jaishankar’s comments were not just a call for reclaiming the region but also a statement that, in his view, Kashmir would be “solved” once the region is back under India’s control.

Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir: A National Commitment

This is not the first time that Jaishankar has made such strong statements about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Earlier, in May 2024, during an event at Gargi College in Delhi, Jaishankar reiterated that POK is an integral part of India. He highlighted the commitment of every political party in India to reclaim this territory.

“There is a Parliament resolution…every political party of this country is committed to ensuring that POK, which is a part of India, returns to India. That is our national commitment,” Jaishankar had said. His statement emphasized that the issue of POK is central to India’s national identity and sovereignty.

He also pointed out that the removal of Article 370 was a critical step that brought the issue of POK to the forefront of public discourse. By abrogating the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Jaishankar suggested that India had made the right decision, which now allows the public to actively think about the situation in POK.

POK Never Left India’s Concerns

Jaishankar’s statements reflect a deep-rooted belief that POK has never been out of India’s concerns. In an earlier interaction on May 5, 2024, he strongly asserted that POK was always a part of India. “POK has never been out of this country. It is part of this country,” he remarked during a session in Cuttack, Odisha. He pointed to the Indian Parliament’s resolution affirming the territorial integrity of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated India’s resolve to bring POK back into the fold.

A History of Missed Opportunities

One of the most striking points Jaishankar made was related to India’s early years of independence and the historical context surrounding the Kashmir issue. He noted that India did not immediately push Pakistan to vacate the territory when the latter took control of the region in 1947. He explained that the “sorry state of affairs” in the region continued because of this delay. He also added that when the “responsible custodian of the house” fails to act, it opens the door for external forces to take advantage.

His comment, “When you have someone who is not a responsible custodian of the house, bahar se koi chori kar leta hai,” was a pointed reference to Pakistan’s occupation of Kashmir. Jaishankar highlighted that the failure to act decisively at the time had allowed Pakistan to illegally occupy a part of Jammu and Kashmir, a situation that India still aims to rectify.

The Role of Public Consciousness

Jaishankar further emphasized that over time, the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was largely forgotten by the Indian public. However, with the abrogation of Article 370, the matter has come to the forefront of national discourse once again. “People were made to forget about the issue of POK,” Jaishankar remarked, adding that the political decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status had reignited public awareness about the region’s rightful place within India.

India’s Path Forward: A Strong Stance on POK

Jaishankar’s remarks at Chatham House were not just a reflection of India’s position on the Kashmir issue but also a reaffirmation of India’s firm commitment to reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. His comments align with the Indian government’s consistent stance that POK belongs to India and should be returned to the country.

The government’s actions, including the revocation of Article 370, sending a clear message to Pakistan and the international community that India considers Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of its territory. Moreover, Jaishankar’s recent remarks are part of an ongoing narrative that reflects India’s national security priorities and its geopolitical stance regarding Pakistan.

Diplomatic Dimensions and International Implications

Jaishankar’s comments also carry significant diplomatic implications, particularly for India’s relations with Pakistan. The issue of Kashmir has been a source of tension between the two countries for decades. Pakistan continues to claim Jammu and Kashmir as its own, while India firmly rejects any such claims.

By raising the issue of POK at an international forum like Chatham House, Jaishankar ensured that the world would take note of India’s position. His words also serve as a reminder that India is not willing to compromise on its territorial integrity. This stance is likely to shape future diplomatic engagements between India and Pakistan, as well as India’s broader foreign policy in the region.

Kashmir’s Future and India’s Resolve

S. Jaishankar’s speech in London marks another chapter in India’s ongoing commitment to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. His call for the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a reflection of India’s unwavering stance on the matter. The actions taken by the Indian government, from the revocation of Article 370 to economic development initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, have been aimed at resolving the issues within India’s control. However, the final step, according to Jaishankar, will be the return of the illegally occupied part of Kashmir.

As India continues to progress economically and politically, the issue of POK remains a central concern. Jaishankar’s words reflect the resolve of the Indian government to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir’s full territorial integrity is restored. The road ahead may be challenging, but India remains committed to reclaiming the land that it believes is rightfully its own.