Author: Dr. Claude Rakisits
Affiliation: Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Organization/Publisher: Australian Journal of International Affairs
Date/Place: July 7, 2020/ Canberra, Australia
Type of Literature: Journal Article
Number of Pages: 10
Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10357718.2020.1787334
Keywords: South Asia, Pakistan, India, Kashmir, Diplomacy, Referendum
Brief:
On August 5, 2019, India’s government revoked Article 370 of its constitution, which had provided Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) an autonomous status, thereby annexing it with India by declaring it a union territory. Although India’s move faced severe criticism from the international community, it did not impact the intensity of its state repression. According to statistics, almost seven million people are suffering from both physical and digital lockdown in Kashmir valley. India has also increased its troops by an additional forty thousand soldiers to restrict the rights and freedom of Kashmiri masses. This article details a four-point solution to the decades-long Kashmir conflict, that was previously proposed in 2006 by Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf to then prime minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee. Those four points include demilitarization, free movement of Kashmiris in all parts of J&K, self-government, and a joint supervision mechanism in Kashmir with collaboration of three parties—Pakistan, India, and Kashmir. According to the author, Pakistan and India may bring a joint resolution in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to involve the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve this conflict. Furthermore, Pakistan has to abandon its support to the militant organizations of Kashmir. Moreover, India should reinstate the pre-August 5, 2019 autonomous status of J&K. Finally, it emphasizes the referendum that was proposed in the United Nations Security Council, Resolution No. 47 that permits Kashmiris the right of self-determination. The article concludes that implementation of this formula would have a huge political cost for both sides but in the long run it will help the regional economic and political integration.
By: Muhammad Taimoor Bin Tanveer, CIGA Senior Research Associate
