Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif Raises Kashmir Issue at UNGA, Calls for Dialogue
At the UNGA, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif called for India to reverse the abrogation of Article 370 and engage in dialogue regarding Kashmir. He equated the Kashmir struggle with the Palestinian quest for self-determination and raised concerns about Islamophobia targeting Muslims in India. India is expected to respond robustly through External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
During the recent session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif notably raised the longstanding Kashmir issue, asserting that India must engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution regarding Jammu and Kashmir. In his speech, lasting over twenty minutes, Sharif emphasized the need for India to reverse the abrogation of Article 370, which previously afforded special status to the region. He articulated that such a reversal is essential to foster durable peace. Additionally, he invoked the legacy of Kashmiri figures and linked their plight to global struggles for self-determination, drawing parallels to the historical context of the Palestinian issue.
The Kashmir issue remains a focal point in Indo-Pak relations, with both countries claiming the region. Following India’s withdrawal of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, relations between the two nations have been fraught with tension. Pakistan has persistently sought international support to challenge India’s actions, often using platforms like the UNGA to voice its concerns. India’s response has consistently reinforced its stance that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of its territory and advised Pakistan to address its internal issues instead.
In summary, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the UNGA underscored Pakistan’s continual advocacy for the Kashmir cause, calling for India’s reconsideration of Article 370 and suggesting a dialogue for resolution. Furthermore, he highlighted alleged discrimination against Muslims in India, thus reinforcing the narrative of an escalating Islamic identity crisis within the region. As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to deliver a rebuttal, the ongoing dialogue at the UNGA underscores the persistent conflict over Kashmir and the contrasting narratives presented by both nations.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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