With India following an unfettered course towards despotism and tyranny under the leadership of Modi, the subcontinent is now under the threat of war as tensions between Pakistan and India increase. More than that, India’s hegemonic designs particularly with emphasis on bringing demographic changes in IIOJK in the backdrop of rabid nationalism not only reflects the demise of the Congress Party’s secular politics, but has also tarnished India’s international image as a secular state.
As India continues to spread its expansionist scheme in the valley, not Muslim state other than Turkey and Malaysia has openly condemned India’s actions or have given statements so as to sympathise with the people of Kashmir and the Muslims in India. In doing so, the international community appears to be repeating the grave mistake of staying silent. The truth is that countries and organisations couldn’t care less about such issues unless it harms them directly or interrupts their own political gains. Such an approach is conclusive of the fact that self-interest remains the key determinant in foreign policy dynamics.
A year has passed since PM Imran Khan highlighted the woes of the Kashmiris at the UNGA session and to this day the issue remains one of the central concerns of Pakistan because the country has pledged to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to their brother in arms. As Pakistan gets the stage once again to arouse the conscience of the world, it should understand that the platform will only prove viable if it learns to reduce its heavy foreign economic dependence and work unanimously on internal political strengthening.
Hadia Mukhtar
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2020.
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