We shall mind our own j&k business

We shall mind our own j&k business

Even as India must stay globally engaged.

The lack of an outcome of the closed-door discussion on Kashmir in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a diplomatic victory for India. Pakistan’s failure to internationalise Kashmir reflects India’s growing diplomatic clout. UNSC’s ‘closed consultation’ on Friday piloted by China resulted neither in a formal outcome nor a statement. 14 of the 15 members of the UN body were of the view that the changes resulting from the suspension of Article 370 was a matter internal to India, and that issues arising between India and Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally. India succeeded in securing the support of governments. But this shouldn’t mean it can rest on its diplomatic laurels.

India needs to intensify its engagement with the world, ensuring its views are given due space and regard. This requires not just diplomatic engagement but greater dealings at every level. Economic pressures, changing demographics, and the rise of parochial politics are determining the manner in which countries approach foreign policy. Thus, the US, despite its long history of partnership with Pakistan, opposed China’s call for a formal discussion and statement, while India’s longterm partner, Britain, supported it. New Delhi must factor in changing international and domestic dynamics of its partner countries in gaining their future support. Encouraging India’s considerably large expatriate population to increase its participation in local communities can also help ensure that India’s PoV on issues is not overlooked. The rise in participation of people of Pakistani origin in British local and national politics, for instance, may explain London’s stance in the UNSC discussions.

At home here in India, governments, at every level, need to work together to engage the communities in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to ensure that the promises made by GoI are translated into real action. This is as important as, if not more than, sustained diplomatic engagement for India to continue to chalk up diplomatic victories in an era where both India and Kashmir are markedly different from the past.