S. Jaishankar criticized the West and UN’s reframing of the Kashmir invasion as a dispute, highlighting the double standards in global diplomacy. He emphasized the need for a reevaluation of international approaches toward sovereignty and called out the inconsistent treatment of the Taliban. His comments during the Raisina Dialogue urged an honest reassessment of geopolitical interactions, reflecting on the changing power dynamics since World War II.
During the recent Raisina Dialogue 2024 held in Delhi, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted perceived double standards by the West and the United Nations regarding the Kashmir issue. He asserted that the situation in Kashmir, originally an invasion, has been misleadingly redefined as merely a dispute. Jaishankar questioned the integrity of the UN for equating the aggressor and the victim in this context, pointing out that nations involved, including the UK, Canada, Belgium, Australia, and the United States, have culpability in the ongoing situation.
Jaishankar emphasized the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity as foundational to global rules. He noted the prolonged illegal occupation of Kashmir as one of the longest-standing cases globally since World War II. He urged a reevaluation of how global powers interact with issues of sovereignty and called for a conversation that accurately reflects changes in global balances of power.
The minister further criticized the international community’s inconsistent approach towards the Taliban. He referenced the contradictory stance taken during recent negotiations in Doha and Oslo, where the Taliban was treated as a legitimate actor. Jaishankar questioned the selective acceptance of the Taliban as it aligns with different geopolitical agendas, expressing concern about a disparity in how extremists are perceived based on context rather than their actions.
As the Raisina Dialogue is known for discussions on geopolitics and geoeconomics, held from March 17-19, attendees were urged to engage in a more honest audit of past eight decades of global interactions to understand contemporary issues more effectively.
S. Jaishankar’s remarks at the Raisina Dialogue brought attention to the shifting narratives of international conflicts, particularly the Kashmir situation. By critiquing the West’s and the UN’s responses, he underscored the need for consistency in approaches towards international disputes and the importance of reconsidering historical perspectives on sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inconsistency in dealing with entities like the Taliban further highlighted the complexities of global diplomacy today.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
