Reacting strongly to Pakistan announcing elections on November 15 in Gilgit-Baltistan, India asserted that "any action by Pakistan to alter the status of the militarily occupied so-called 'Gilgit-Baltistan' has no legal basis whatsoever and is totally void ab-initio."
“Our position has always been clear and consistent,’’ said the MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava at the virtual weekly briefing on Thursday. “The entire territories of the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been and are an integral part of India and would remain so. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters.’’
This is not the first time India has protested against the military occupation of Gilgit-Baltistan. Over the years, India has strongly opposed the building of infrastructure in the area by China, maintaining that it passes through Indian territory.
The elections in the area are believed to be the first step by Pakistan to make Gilgit-Baltistan a full-fledged province. Media reports suggest that Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to give the final go-ahead for the polls “soon’’. The move may not go down well with India, especially as the country has consistently claimed Gilgit-Baltistan as an integral part of India.
Despite the simmering tension between the two countries, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Pakistani counterpart S.M. Qureshi at a virtual SAARC meeting. The SAARC foreign ministers meetings have been happening on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly since 1998. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn't put a stop to this tradition.
India did raise the issue of cross-border terrorism. “Cross-border terrorism, blocking connectivity and obstructing trade are three key challenges that SAARC must overcome,” Jaishankar tweeted. “Only then will we see enduring peace, prosperity and security in our South Asia region,” he added.
While he did not name Pakistan, it was clear who he was referring to. For its part, Pakistan chose to bring up its pet peeve. “Highlighted need to condemn & oppose unilateral/illegal measures to challenge status of disputed territories in violation of UNSC resolutions,’’ tweeted Qureshi. “Such unilateral measures run counter to shared objective of #SAARC to create regional amity and cooperation & must be opposed resolutely,’’ his tweet read. In short, Kashmir.
The sparring continued as the MEA responded strongly. “It is very typical of Pakistan to use such fora to raise such bilateral and contentious issues which is inconsistent with the principles and charters of such organisations and their meetings,’’ said Srivastava. “What else can be expected of a country that indulges in cross-border terrorism as a part of its state policy.”
