World stays clam on Kashmir, everyone is playing their own games

Analytics 17:03 24.08.2019

During the last years, we are witnessing the transformation of our world into unjust form. The rise of nationalism, racism makes states to act by their national interests and abuse the international law.

Power centered approaches to world politics put international security in danger. The recent processes in Indian Occupied Kashmir made world headlines and alarmed the international institutions. On August 5, the leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is popular with nationalist rhetoric,  Narendra Modi abrogated Article 370 and 35A which means the removal of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The abrogation means that Jammu and Kashmir will become two Union territories on 31 October 2019.

The decision followed lockdown of Indian Occupied Kashmir and made unrest in Kashmiri people (60% of the Indian controlled Kashmir consists of Muslim population). Muslim majority fears that in the result of planned demographic change they could be minority in the region. They think that Modi will settle Hindu families in Kashmir and will change the demographic situation in favor of himself.

Indian Occupied Kashmir is under curfew without any contact with the rest of the world as communication tools are suspended including telephone, internet, postal service and movement of Kashimis out of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

UN reacts to the conflict but not active play

The Secretary General of United Nations Antonio Guterres recalled both sides to act in accordance to the 1972 Agreement. It should be noted that UNSC reached Simla Agreement of July 2, 1972 that the conflict would be solved bilaterally between two states but under the light of UN resolutions on Kashmir.

On August 16, United Nations Security Council held closed consultations for the situation in Kashmir by China’s initiatives. Modi’s decision undermines Simla Agreement. The reason is that Modi made up this decision unilaterally and without discussion with Kashmiri leaders who are under house arrest or in jails.

International community shows stances based on their national interests

If UN is the key player in the conflict resolution on Kashmir, we should pay attention to the stances of UNSC permanent members. As it is noted above, the consultations on Kashmir in UNSC were requested by China. China has a huge amount of investments on Pakistan and their relations can be understood as a strategic partnership. Apart from this, China also has a territorial claim on Kashmir. These two factors are the main reason of Chinese support. Because the problem can damage Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI). Pakistan is one of the most important state in this project, threats to the Pakistan’s stability can harm the BRI.

Russia and France stayed calm on the conflict. Both countries supported what UNSC Secretary-General said. They are in favour to the bilateral discussions. France attempted to block any statements of UNSC during the consultations while China intends open discussions because it is one of the largest sellers to Indian Air Force.

Generally, inactivity on the process can be seen as a support to India. Because only strict actions can stop India. However, Pakistan welcomes the initiation of calls to the implementation UNSC resolutions.

United Kingdom is much interested in the conflict because there are many Indian and Pakistani people live in UK. The conflict reflected as protests of the communities in UK. As Russia and France, United Kingdom also accepts the conflict as a bilateral issue.

The President of United States of America Donald Trump spoke with the leaders of both countries and emphasized the need to work towards reducing tension in Kashmir.

US offered its mediation to the process and welcomed by Pakistan, but India is continuing not to see the third party to the conflict.

If someone is strong it means they can solve the problem unilaterally

If all countries seek their own goal, justice can’t be maintained. India caught Pakistan in economic troubles and in this hard situation, Pakistan’s reaction against India will not make India to come back for negotiations. Only in the result of the involvement of the third powers, the negotiation process can be revived.

India has economic confidence while Pakistan is struggling in balance of payments and this was the best moment for nationalist BJP to annex Kashmir as they promised during election campaign.

There is no winner in nuclear war

We shouldn’t forget that both countries own equal nuclear arsenal. India-Pakistan conflict on February is considered the first direct military actions between nuclear states in the history. Current case is also close to previous one but more dangerous.

If the international community will not react properly, the situation can be devastating for not only for the region but for the whole world. India announced its position on the use of nuclear weapon as “no first use”. Pakistan has not made clear its position which this point can be perceived as a real danger for the conflict.

We should remember that three countries along the border of Kashmir China, India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed countries. Apart from this, almost 40% of world population lives here. We can image that how the military confrontation damages not only the region but the whole world.

Strategic partners showed their stances

The other player like United Arab Emirates set the country’s highest civil honor – the Order of Zayed to Narendra Modi, after abrogation of Article 370. We should note that UAE is the second biggest trading partner of India. So this decision of Abu Dhabi is not unfounded.

In contrast to UAE, Turkey supports Pakistan and urges UN to play more active role in the conflict. This year we witnessed very close relations between Turkey and China. Following this, in April, Turkey and Pakistan together with Uzbekistan held military drills. Turkey is eager to play important role in BRI. These factors make Turkey and Pakistan close partners. It leads that Turkey supports Pakistan on Kashmir conflict.

Conclusion

People are the main sufferers from the conflict, unresolved situation makes opportunity of military confrontation actual always. People are in danger and fear but world leaders are playing their games. We have seen such situations in Syria where hundreds of thousands died but world closed eyes and we saw the same situation in Libya. It means we haven’t learned from the history.

Today, national interests are much more important than any time before. Imran Khan named Narendra Modi as Hitler. Modi’s extremist views make Khan to have such imaginations. History teaches us that if the aggressor is not prevented, it will lead humanitarian crisis which affects the whole world. It seems that World War II can’t teach us the reality or we have already forgotten how the war started.

The Kashmir problem hasn’t come to deadlock and still there is a hope. Pakistan lays on the international law by requesting the implementation of UNSC resolutions and seek justice for Kashmiri people, but it is scary to imagine what will happen if justice will not be maintained.

Written by Ulvi Ahmedli - Research Journalist at Eurasia Diary on Regional Affairs and Economy

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Palestinian man shot dead after stabbing Israeli soldier during West Bank raid
21:20 10.07.2025
Israel has agreed to 'significant steps' to improve humanitarian situation in Gaza: EU foreign policy chief
21:00 10.07.2025
EU aims to mobilize up to $11.7B in investments for Ukraine's reconstruction
20:45 10.07.2025
UNAIDS warns funding collapse could lead to 6M new HIV infections, 4M deaths
20:30 10.07.2025
UN report sounds alarm on climate health risks for world's aging population
20:00 10.07.2025
Merz: Germany fully supports Ukraine's plans to join EU
19:45 10.07.2025
Azerbaijani citizens involved in Wagner armed group arrested - State Security Service conducts operation
19:15 10.07.2025
Luka Modric signs one-year contract with Milan
19:00 10.07.2025
Rubio: US hopes to persuade NATO allies to transfer some Patriot systems to Ukraine
18:45 10.07.2025
Zelenskyy: 200 agreements with total value of over €10B ready to be signed
18:30 10.07.2025
Von der Leyen's EU Commission survives Parliament confidence vote
18:15 10.07.2025
SOCAR becomes jersey sponsor of Turkish First League side
18:00 10.07.2025
Azerbaijan takes leading postion in UN digital trade survey
17:45 10.07.2025
Ex-NBA player Ben McLemore sentenced to over 8 years in prison for rape
17:30 10.07.2025
Russia warns Armenia of sanctions risk
17:15 10.07.2025
COP29 President, COP30 President-designate hold discussions at OPEC seminar
17:00 10.07.2025
Ilham Aliyev's meeting with Nikol Pashinyan was constructive
16:55 10.07.2025
Baku says Azerbaijan, Armenia agreed to continue dialogue in bilateral format
16:45 10.07.2025
Peskov: Baku-Yerevan peace treaty will bring stability to South Caucasus
16:30 10.07.2025
Azerbaijan refunds over 94M manats of VAT to consumers
16:15 10.07.2025
Amnesty International slams US sanctions on UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
16:00 10.07.2025
China pushes back 50% US 'security' tariffs on copper imports
15:45 10.07.2025
Top Southeast Asian diplomats hold summit with China’s foreign minister
15:30 10.07.2025
Israeli strikes on Gaza leave 97 Palestinians killed, dozens more injured in past day
15:15 10.07.2025
Messi creates history in MLS, becomes first player to achieve rare feat
15:00 10.07.2025
Heavy rain delays over 300 flights in New Delhi
14:45 10.07.2025
Shamakhi to host conference on Modern Information Space and Freedom of Religious Belief
14:30 10.07.2025
At least 28 killed, dozens injured in pre-dawn Israeli strikes across Gaza Strip
14:15 10.07.2025
Court orders arrest of former South Korean president
14:00 10.07.2025
US nuclear-powered submarine makes first port call in Iceland
13:45 10.07.2025
Israeli soldier killed during attempted Hamas abduction in southern Gaza, IDF says
13:30 10.07.2025
ADY and China Railways reach agreement to increase BTK capacity
13:15 10.07.2025
U.S. measles cases hit highest level in 33 years,
13:00 10.07.2025
Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia discuss co-op in hydrocarbon sector
12:45 10.07.2025
UK, France to order more Storm Shadow missiles, plan next-generation replacements
12:30 10.07.2025
Houthis kidnapped crew members of Eternity C vessel, US Embassy in Yemen says
12:15 10.07.2025
President Ilham Aliyev addresses participants of ICDO General Assembly session
12:00 10.07.2025
US to impose 50% tariffs on imports from Brazil starting August — Trump
11:45 10.07.2025
US resumes certain arms shipments to Ukraine
11:30 10.07.2025
SOCAR president participates in OPEC International Seminar
11:15 10.07.2025
Hamısı