Indian Minister’s remarks on occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir are completely contrary to reality: KCEU’s Chair Ali Raza Syed

Brussels: Mr. Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU) has strongly reacted to the recent statement made by the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, stating that the Indian Minister’s remarks regarding occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir are completely contrary to reality.

In his recent remarks at Chatham House, UK, the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said, “Removal of Article 370 and the restoration of growth, economic activities, and ensuring social justice in Kashmir were significant steps. This was followed by the successful conduct of elections with a high voter turnout.” Jaishankar added, “We are now on the path toward the eventual return of stolen part of Kashmir which remains under illegal Pakistani occupation. Once this is achieved, I assure you, the Kashmir issue will be resolved.”

Chairman of KCEU said, Indian external affairs’ minister remarks are totally vicious and unacceptable. He described, by abrogating Article 370, New Delhi has violated Indian promise with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and its longstanding stance, which granted special status to Kashmir. Ali Raza Syed said, the Indian Minister speaks of prosperity and economic recovery, the situation in occupied Kashmir is disastrous and utterly contradicts his claims. Ali Raza Syed said, talking about prosperity while oppressing Kashmiris is nothing while a laughingstock. When India has suppressed the basic human rights of Kashmiris, claims of economic revival and social justice are baseless and a fraud with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. another point of Indian external affairs’ minister remarks regarding the conduct of elections with full public participation is also entirely groundless, as independent international media and global observers were not allowed to monitor the electoral process. Chair of Kashmir Council Europe said, until the people of occupied Kashmir are satisfied and granted their right to self-determination, the Kashmir issue will remain unresolved. The United Nations resolutions also emphasize this right and call for a plebiscite.

As for the Indian Foreign Minister’s reference to Azad Kashmir as “illegally occupied by Pakistan” and his claims of regaining it, this is an absurd joke. In reality, when India was occupying Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Azad Kashmir liberated this part through their own efforts, and they continue to possess the capability to defend their territory. Azad Kashmir’s people have the willpower to respond to any India’s evil intentions.

Ali Raza Syed further stated that all parts of Jammu and Kashmir are integral to the state, and according to the UN resolutions, this issue will remain unresolved until exercise of right to self-determination by the people of Kashmir. The Plebiscite under the international supervision should be conducted in all regions of Jammu and Kashmir to determine the political future of the region. India does not desire a resolution to the Kashmir issue, that’s why it makes such controversial statements to divert attention from the core problem of Jammu and Kashmir. Recently, India has deployed additional troops in occupied Kashmir to maintain its illegal occupation, even though it already has 800,000 troops stationed there.

The international community must take immediate action to stop India’s atrocities against Kashmiris and play its role in ensuring a just resolution to the Kashmir issue.

Email: secretariat@kashmircouncil.eu Address: Kashmir Council EU, Brussels, Belgium.