Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has called for talks with India concerning Kashmir and other matters during Kashmir Solidarity Day. He criticized India’s military expansion and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Kashmiris. Meanwhile, India continues to maintain that Jammu and Kashmir is part of its territory, demanding Pakistan cease its terrorism support as a precondition for dialogue.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged India to engage in dialogues regarding all concerns, notably Kashmir. He asserted that constructive discussions are essential for progress and called on India to reconsider its stance post-removal of Article 370. This article previously conferred special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The 2019 decision remains a point of contention between the two nations.
Sharif’s remarks coincided with Kashmir Solidarity Day in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, where he advocated for dialogical resolutions. He noted, “We want all issues, including Kashmir, to be resolved through talks,” urging India to discard its mindset from August 5, 2019, and adhere to UN commitments. He referenced the 1999 Lahore Declaration, underscoring dialogue as the path forward for both countries.
Despite his peace overtures, Sharif criticized India’s military buildup, stating, “Stockpiling weapons will not bring peace and will not change the fate of the people of this region.” He stressed the importance of wise actions from India, emphasizing that genuine progress requires peaceful engagement. Sharif committed that Pakistan will maintain its support for Kashmiris’ quest for self-determination under UN guidelines.
Conversely, India has firmly upheld its position, stating Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the nation. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that discussions would be contingent on Pakistan’s cessation of terror support. He further expressed that any dialogue regarding relations would not occur on Pakistani soil unless security issues are resolved.
India has rebuffed calls for international mediation, insisting that the Kashmir dispute must be settled directly with Pakistan. The nation has stated that peaceful relations hinge upon Pakistan’s abandonment of terrorism, pointing to ongoing tensions arising from Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups.
The prospect of talks between India and Pakistan remains uncertain. India’s conditions for dialogue center on ensuring peace and addressing support for terrorist activities as preconditions for engaging in discussions about bilateral relations.
The Kashmir conflict is a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan following the partition of British India in 1947. The conflict was exacerbated by India’s abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. This decision has heightened tensions, prompting calls for dialogue from Pakistan, while India maintains its claim over the region as integral to its territory.
In summary, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has advocated for dialogue with India concerning Kashmir and other issues, urging a reevaluation of India’s post-Article 370 position. Nevertheless, India insists on halting terrorism as a prerequisite for any negotiations. The future of talks remains ambiguous, hinging on Pakistan’s actions regarding militant groups, while both nations grapple with their diverging narratives and approaches to peace.
Original Source: www.financialexpress.com
