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Not all flak from US, 6 lawmakers back Modi govt on Article 370, J&K clampdown

According to the 6 US lawmakers, Modi govt’s actions in J&K will help strengthen India’s security and curtail terrorist infiltration from Pakistan.

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New Delhi: Notwithstanding the warnings and caution that India has faced at the US Congress over its moves in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, New Delhi has also enjoyed support from some prominent Congressmen.

As many as six US lawmakers have so far come out strongly in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for abrogating Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special status, and the communication lockdown in the union territory.

According to these lawmakers — George Holding, Pete Olson, Francis Rooney, Joe Wilson, Ted Yoho and Paul A. Gosar — what the Modi government has done by way of imposing restrictions on internet services and detention of local political leaders in the Kashmir valley, will help strengthen India’s security while curtailing infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan.

The latest to join the list was Gosar, a Republican member of the House of Representative from Arizona, who last week said Article 370 was an “outdated provision” of the Indian Constitution and the “polarised political environment that it created resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives within the region”. 

“Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that this change (abrogation of Article 370) was necessary to facilitate peace and economic prosperity,” he had stated. “I applaud Prime Minister Modi and the Parliament for their leadership on ensuring the stability of Jammu-Kashmir.”

Gosar’s remarks in the House of Representatives come even as a resolution was introduced in the US Congress in December urging India to put an immediate end to the communication lockdown in the Valley.

The resolution, which has bipartisan support, was moved by Indian-American Democrat Pramila Jayapal who represents Washington’s 7th district in the US Congress. 


Also read: ‘Win over those who disagree’ — Jaishankar rebuff to Pramila Jayapal evokes mixed response 


More backing for Modi government 

Another influential Congressman who has supported the Modi government is Republican member Holding. He had stated in November that for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, it is imperative to have peace and stability in the region.

“The (Pakistan-based) terror groups have continued to engage in cross-border terrorism and have attacked civilians and children,” he had stated then. “These militant groups have also attacked migrant workers and those involved in the apple business, which is the chief crop of Kashmir.” 

Yet another prominent voice at the US Congress is that of lawmaker Rooney, again a Republican, from Florida.

“Of the three claimants in Kashmir, India’s claim is the most credible. After the end of British rule, in the 1950s, Jammu and Kashmir — approximately two-thirds of Kashmir — acceded to join India,” Rooney had said.

“The state was awarded a special administrative status, affording it autonomy over internal administrative decisions. Over the years, the Jammu and Kashmir state government has increasingly aligned with the Indian central government.” 

Ted Yoho, a Republican and Ranking Member of Subcommittee on South Asia, has also maintained that the Kashmir move by Modi is an internal matter of India, though he did question the ongoing restrictions there.


Also read: Respect India’s national integrity & unity, Jaishankar tells Canada during J&K discussion


 

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10 COMMENTS

  1. Too much importance to USA’s views on our internal matter will encourage USA to indulge in creating smoke and dust so as to use the opportunities created thus for their interests and they wont mind of being hypocrites,ie.going on changing their view points as suits to them. USA is the MOST UNTRUSTWORTHY country on earth.

  2. Who cares? India didn’t bother about the US in 1971 despite open threats. And doesn’t need to now as well. If US Senators support India well and good. If not so be it.

    • “Who cares?” YOU MAY NOT CARE, MODI DOES, VERY MUCH! He has been flying around the world, spending lot of time to improve India’s image, and cultivate his image as statesman. You can say whatever you want, WHO CARES?

    • And what can 429 – even if they are all against this action – do? Be specific. Don’t give fuzzy answers like LA Times, NY Times blah blah mumbo jumbo or puerile emojis.. Will they unleash Taliban on Kashmir to get it independence? Will they force a UN resolution against India?

  3. Does this really cut the mustard. Brings to mind the recent visit of 27 MEPs to Kashmir. Evidently the mission in Washington is lobbying legislators to voice individual opinions favourable to the present course of action. What should instead be done is to restore the long standing bilateral consensus on Capitol Hill.

  4. Indian Americans ought to take note of the position of their representatives on Jammu and Kashmir and write to them expressing their views. Most Indian Americans traditionally supported the Democrats, who ironically appear to be more critical of India for safeguarding its interests.

    • If India opens its economy to the US firms, all Democrats’ obduracy may melt away. It is more than likely that the candidate who may fight Trump will be Jo Biden, more of a centrist than leftists Sanders and Warren.

    • Indian Americans are exactly doing as you say, writing to their representatives on Jammu and Kashmir and write to them expressing their views. That resulted in one Indian American congresswoman, Pramila Jayapal to CRITICISE THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT FOR IMPOSING SUCH DRACONIAN MEASURES IN KASHMIR, VIOLATING THE KASHMIRI PEOPLE’S FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT! Her Kashmiri constituents wrote her about what they consider the plight of kashmiri people. She has also initiated a resolution in the House of Rep. to ask the Indian government to SAFEGUARD THE HUMAN RIGHT OF KASHMIRIS, AND LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNET AND COMMUNICATION. THERE ARE OTHER INDIAN AMERICAN CONGRESSMEN WHO HAVE ALSO CRITICISED THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT FOR THE SITUATION IN KASHMIR.

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