External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently talked about the long-standing issue of Kashmir, saying that the problem would be solved when Pakistan returns the part of Kashmir it currently controls, known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He spoke at an event in London and explained that India has made progress on the Kashmir issue by doing three main things:
1. Removing Article 370: This removed the special privileges that Jammu and Kashmir had in India.
2. Restoring Growth: By improving economic activities and social justice in the region, the government aimed to help the people.
3. Holding Elections: Jaishankar mentioned that elections were held recently in which many people voted.
He believes that once Pakistan gives back the part of Kashmir it holds, the Kashmir issue will be resolved completely.
India has always insisted that Jammu and Kashmir is an essential part of the country. Since India changed Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the relationship between India and Pakistan has worsened, and trade between the two countries has stopped.
The head of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference, Sajjad Lone, responded to Jaishankar’s comments by saying this is a matter for both countries to discuss. He believes in peaceful talk rather than violence but stated that it is up to the central government to decide.
Pakistan’s Response:
A spokesperson from Pakistan, Shafqat Ali Khan, urged India to stop making false claims about Kashmir. He said that instead of talking about returning parts of Kashmir, India should give back the territories it has held for 77 years. He also stated that the United Nations has said that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir should be decided through a fair vote. He dismissed the elections held in Indian-administered Kashmir, arguing they do not allow people to truly choose their future.
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