THIS refers to the report ‘Pakistan slams US envoy’s visit to India-held Kashmir’ (Aug 20). The Foreign Office rightly condemned the American envoy for having created a furore by saying in Srinagar that the occupied state of Jammu and Kashmir was an ‘important part of India’. India is a signatory to the internationaltreaties on the disputed territory.
Aware of India’s intention to get the Instrument of Accession rubber-stamped by the puppet state assembly, the United Nations Security Council barred such a move with two unambiguous resolutions.
Till 1953, India was, at least verbally, committed to the plebiscite. But in subsequent periods, it has been busy trying to woo the United States in its favour.
Despite the lapse of decades, India has not fulfilled its promise of holding a plebiscite in occupied Kashmir. It ‘annexed’ a part of it. India also annexed Junagadh even though it had acceded to Pal(istan.
India’s attitude negates the cardinal principles in inter-state relations.
The UN observers are still on duty across the Line of Control. They submit an annual report to the UN secretarygeneral. This report identifies Kashmir as an unresolved international problem.
India should actually be declared a rogue state for violating international treaties.The country really should be subjected to sanctions. On its part, the US needs to be more circumspect vis-a-vis India.
Amjed Jaaved and Muhammad Saad Malik Rawalpindi