The 70th Independence Day speech delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed concern for people suffering in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province as also in Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Never in the history of I-Day speeches made by any previous PM’s had referred to these issues which normally are a part of the long drawn zones of confrontation between the two neighbours. This reference in the I-Day came a few days after the PM vowed to raise the atrocities of the Pakistani Government in all the three areas to the international platform, when he addressed the All Party Meeting on J&K recently in Delhi.
Some security experts and former diplomats say that this may unnecessarily heighten the already boiling situation between the two nations. But many observers feel that there is no harm in pointing fingers at Pakistan as it has been doing the same over Kashmir since independence. In the meantime, the representatives of the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) based in Delhi and london stated that India should now lead others in recognizing Balochistan as a historic nation under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. But it remains to be seen how the PM will take this mission forward beyond the Red Fort.
Will there be a day when Pakistan stops talking and dreaming about J&KIJ Is there any way out to find a solution on border disputes without fighting a war between the two nationsIJ Do we need to have a third party intervention in discussing the issues like the PoKIJ Will the UN be enough to finally bring peace to J&KIJ The State of J&K will always remain as an obsession for Pakistan. There will be occasional wars and low intensity conflicts between India and Pakistan, but there is no chance of a prolonged battle as many war hawks on both the sides think.
Indeed PoK must be returned to India by Pakistan. And finally, the UN must ask Pakistan to first stop cross-border terrorism. How long India will live with the separatist’s demands over the Kashmir valleyIJ There must be a solution and India must boldly answer to the militants. Hope with Modi, the nation will find an answer on this prolonged issue. Balocistan issue raised by India will create a solid pressure on Pakistan. Besides, the global community must pressurise the Pakistani Government about interfering in internal matters of India. Policy shift made by Modi on I-Day will help conceiving a new approach to address the problems with Pakistan.