New Delhi: Pakistan is downgrading diplomatic ties with India after the Narendra Modi government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee, summoned by Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday.
As the first step, Islamabad has issued orders asking the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria to return to New Delhi, top sources told ThePrint.
The sources also said the new Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Moin ul Haque, whose appointment was approved by both sides, will not be taking charge now. He was expected to assume his post in New Delhi by the end of this month or early next month.
Pakistan believes if India is not keen on holding a dialogue with Islamabad, both high commissioners should be recalled.
1-Downgrading of diplomatic relations with India.
2-Suspension of bilateral trade with India.
3-Review of bilateral arrangements.
4-Matter to be taken to UN, including the Security Council.
5-14th of August to be observed in solidarity with brave
Kashmiris. #StandwithKashmir pic.twitter.com/v06GmMc5lG
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) August 7, 2019
Khan had summoned a second session of the National Security Committee (NSC) within days of India announcing its decisions on Jammu and Kashmir, while their President called for a joint session of the Parliament.
The committee also decided to suspend bilateral trade with India. Post the February Pulwama attacks, India had withdrawn the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) trade status from Pakistan.
The Imran Khan government will also raise the matter of India revoking Article 370 and 35A at the UN Security Council, the NSC decided.
“PM directed that all diplomatic channels be activated to expose brutal Indian racist regime, design and human rights violations. PM directed Armed Forces to continue vigilance,” stated an official statement from the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office.
Also read: Pakistan says India move won’t change Kashmir’s disputed status, to counter ‘illegal’ step
Rhetoric in Pakistani parliament
At the joint session of the Pakistani parliament that was convened over Kashmir, Fawad Chaudhry, the minister for science and technology, called for suspension of all diplomatic ties with India.
The session discussed many other critical issues, including closure of Pakistani airspace and shutting down of the Wagah border.
Ali Amin Gandapur, the minister for Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, said, “Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and we will fight to the last drop of blood for Kashmir”.
Former Pakistan president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari called Kashmir “the second major incident after the separation of East Pakistan”.
Opposition parties in Pakistan have also demanded that the country should approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and convene an emergency meeting by moving the United Nations Security Council.
Also read: This is General Bajwa’s dilemma after Modi govt’s Article 370 move in Kashmir
1. We often observe that any government in Pakistan, irrespective of party in power, cannot simply survive without adopting anti-India position though such anti-India rhetoric matters little for our country. In context of abrogation of Article 35A and Article 370 of Constitution of India Hence, asking Indian envoy in Pakistan to leave Pakistan is of no consequence to India. 2. I say that Pakistan has no business to interfere in India’s internal matters. How can we brush-aside fact that terror activities in the Kashmir valley, sponsored by Pakistan’s ISI and its government have destabilized ordinary life in the valley? 3. Let us not overlook fact that ever since 1948 Pakistan has made unending violent efforts to destabilize life in the valley. Unfortunately the Pakistani establishment, be it its army, its government or the government protected terror outfits, has never been held accountable by those who plead for Kashmir’s autonomy. 4. Kashmir’s politicians, particularly the separatists, do not know that by joining hands with the Islamic fundamentalists and Pakistan, they are playing with fire. They will regret as Pakistan’s love for Kashmir cleverly conceals Pakistani agenda- not of according azadi to the Kashmiris but of making them unwanted citizens of an Islamic state called Pakistan.
So predictable!! Now just three scenarios: (1) go to the UN and risk making the ENTIRE Kashmir region as matter to be resolved; (2) initiate proxy war – cultivating militants and abetting terrorism, and risk another Balakot or escalation of a higher order; (3) initiate full-fledged war, and risk fatalities of very high magnitude as well as International opprobrium.
India was never better prepared psychologically than it was at any time in the past 70 years. The stakes are high for all stakeholders in the region, and currently India has the strategic advantage of timing, with the US impatient to exit. Hopefully by that time, Indian administrators will put in place measures that gently vent out any resentment in the region. It is one of those watershed moments when strategic thinking, and sagacious execution are required by GOI. Jai Hind. ??
Empty gestures. India is certainly not the loser by this. A ‘show’ for the satisfaction of someone or some entity.
What hutzpah! Their army just put out a statement declaring that article 370 is a sham. And now they are complaining that it’s gone! They recently separated Gilgit and Baltistan from Kashmir. Earlier they gave away a large part of Kashmir to China. Over the last 70 years – we have taught them that they can get away with complete dishonesty. We should fully expect a wave of violence aided and abetted by Pakistan over the coming days and months. But unlearning lessons learnt over 70 years will take time.
That would be most unfortunate. The two High Commissioners represent the only reliable, structured channel for the two nations to talk to each other in all situations short of war. Should the missions be shut down or downgraded, that would mean diplomacy is being discarded in favour of other measures to manage the relationship. Recall how it is the diplomats who brought peaceful closure to Dokalam after 73 tense days. This is a moment for the calm counsel of EAM to prevail.
We have disputes with China, but they are civilized people. Besides nothing unusual about neighbours having disputes.
Pakis are very irrational and hateful. It doesn’t make sense to compare the two.
China-India bilateral $14 bn against Pakistan-China of $2 bn, majority of Pakistani relation funded by it’s own money by China. So comparison between China and Pakistan to India getting troubled by China for one state internal matter is absolute naive thinking.