Also, there are still anti-Indian Senators like Timothy Kaine and Angus King in Washington. During their recent visit to New Delhi Senator King told the Indian media, “I welcome the comments of the United Nations Secretary General calling for diplomatic efforts and dialogue to end the conflict between India and Pakistan.” Kaine went a step further saying, “As a promoter of peaceful resolution of disputes, the U.N. does a good job and in that sense their participation should be welcomed.” More of less similar has been the approach of some of the British politicians. Recently, they have been behind former ‘Prime Minister’ of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry’s a ‘million march’ (by Kashmiris and Pakistanis based in the United Kingdom) from London’s Trafalgar Square to protest against India’s alleged ‘human rights violations in Kashmir.”
It is, to a great extent, because of such support that Islamabad has been able to sustain its jihadist strategy against India. Recently, Islamabad has registered a protest with the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP ) and called for a greater “international role” in resolving the Kashmir issue . Little do such elements in Washington and London care that Islamabad has had scant respect for the United Nations. In accordance with the relevant UN resolution , Islamabad should have long vacated the territory it came to occupy of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has been part of India since its ruler Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instruments of accession. Islamabad must also honour the Shimla Pact it signed with New Delhi to resolve all bilateral disputes bilaterally and peacefully.
Given this background, the current dispensation in New Delhi has of late done well to have raised the cost of Islamabad’s anti-India activities . New Delhi must adhere to its new course. Besides, it must advance its ongoing security and intelligence cooperation with Jerusalem which alone has been genuinely committed to fight Islamist terror of all versions.
( The author is a senior Indian journalist based in New Delhi)