Indian rhetoric and Kashmir

While Imran puts across Pakistan’s point of view, it is meaningless until leaders push Modi to tone down the rhetoric

With Indian military and political leaders continuing to issue provocative statements, their opposite numbers in Pakistan have made it clear that “irresponsible rhetoric [has] implications for the region”. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release following the Corps Commanders Conference earlier this week, “Pakistan Armed Forces are forces of order and peace and fully prepared to thwart any misadventure, whatever the cost”. Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also commented on the situation in Kashmir, saying, “Repression of Indian occupying forces can never deny Kashmiris their right to self-determination as promised by UN resolutions. Regardless of the ordeal, their just struggle is destined to succeed.” Earlier, another ISPR statement had rubbished belligerent Indian statements as “routine rhetoric for domestic audiences to get out of ongoing internal turmoil”, a reference to problems in India-Occupied Kashmir and nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke against India’s anti-Pakistan rhetoric. “You need to brush up on history. It seems your degree was fake,” said the prime minister, during a speech in Mirpur, in a reference to long-running allegations regarding Indian PM Narendra Modi’s education. But Imran also used some aggressive language of his own, which will undoubtedly worry doves on either side of the border. In case of an Indian attack, he said, every Pakistani “will fight to their final breath” as “none of us fears death”. He warned, “If you are under the false impression that you can take any action against Pakistan to strengthen your Hindu voter base, it will be the last mistake you make.” As for Kashmir, Imran observed how Modi’s lockdown had led to unprecedented international discussions on India’s illegal actions. “The entire world now demands an end to this oppression,” he said.

Unfortunately, while Imran may be able to get Pakistan’s point of view across to world leaders, it is meaningless until world leaders actually push Modi to tone down the rhetoric and end the oppression.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2020.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.