Since India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganised the state into two union territories on August 5, Pakistan has sought to use these changes to internationalise the Kashmir issue at forums such as the United Nations.
Pakistan’s bid to arrange a formal discussion on the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council did not succeed despite support from its close ally China, and the body only agreed to informal consultations on the matter behind closed doors after India’s position – that the changes in Kashmir are an internal matter – was backed by France and the US.
The Kashmir issue was then taken by Pakistan to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, which began its 42nd session on September 9. Pakistan again raised the possibility of the Kashmir issue triggering a war and urged the UNHRC to ensure that India ends the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir and restores fundamental rights in the region.
{{/usCountry}}The Kashmir issue was then taken by Pakistan to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, which began its 42nd session on September 9. Pakistan again raised the possibility of the Kashmir issue triggering a war and urged the UNHRC to ensure that India ends the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir and restores fundamental rights in the region.
{{/usCountry}}India, in its statement at the UNHRC, countered Pakistan’s efforts to internationalise the matter by saying the Pakistani leadership is using the issue to promote jehad and cross-border terrorism. It also said the changes in Kashmir are the outcome of a “sovereign decision” that was “entirely internal to India”.
In this week’s episode of WorldView, Sharat Sabharwal, a former high commissioner to Pakistan who has also served at the Indian mission in Geneva, helps decode the positions adopted by India and Pakistan at the UNHRC and analyse Islamabad’s persistent efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue.