Online Desk: During his address at the UN General Assembly on 28 September, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar enlightened his audience that “[the] UN is a testimony to the agreed principles and shared objectives of the world order. Respect for international law and commitments are among the foremost.” He continued: “If we are to ensure global security and stability, then it is essential that those who seek to lead set the right example. Nor can we countenance egregious violations of our basic tenets.”
But Mr Jaishankar contradicted himself when declaring Pakistan a guilty party and telling the world that “the issue to be resolved between us is now only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.” By using such belligerent language, the Indian minister made fun of the international body and its resolutions calling for granting Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination. The presence of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) should remind the Hindutva dispensation that Kashmir remains a dispute unless decided under the UN resolutions or by the parties (India and Pakistan). Therefore, India, through bizarre rhetoric, cannot wish away Pakistan’s locus standi on Kashmir. Amazingly, India aspires to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council while conveniently flouting this august body’s resolutions and decisions.
Another favourite theme trumpeted by the Indian hawks, especially Mr Jaishankar, against Pakistan is terrorism without realising that the Indian state terrorism is the root cause of unrest in the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. There is a need to address the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, injustice and foreign occupation, and distinguish genuine freedom struggles from terrorism. Suppose India is interested in addressing the “terrorism” issue. In that case, it should make common causes with Pakistan’s proposal presented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the UNGA last year of creating a Committee of the General Assembly to oversee the balanced implementation of all four pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Unfortunately, Pakistan bashing has been a favourite business of the Indian ruling elite across the board, but the Hindutva forces have crossed all the limits of decency. The acerbic remarks against Pakistan, such as “making Pakistan irrelevant”, reflect the mindset rooted in hate and Islamophobia. No wonder India is in cahoots with Israel in the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon and the target killings in Iran. Indian soldiers or nationals are serving “shoulder-to-shoulder” with the Israeli genocide forces. Mr Jaishankar’s one-line statement about “war in Ukraine and conflict in Gaza” looked like running with the hare and hunting with the hound; moreover, India has yet to call Israeli actions genocide. Both Israel and India may use brutal power to subjugate the people against their will, but history has proved that you cannot win against the will of the people.
