External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has reiterated India’s firm stance on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), calling it a part of India and emphasizing that the region remains the only unresolved aspect of the Kashmir issue. Speaking at Chatham House in London, S. Jaishankar asserted that India has successfully addressed the challenges in Jammu and Kashmir through key policy decisions, including the abrogation of Article 370, economic development, and the recent democratic elections.
During his speech, S. Jaishankar detailed the measures taken by the Indian government to integrate Jammu and Kashmir more effectively with the rest of the country. He highlighted the removal of Article 370 as a decisive step that paved the way for economic progress, social justice, and political stability. He also pointed to the successful conduct of elections in the Union Territory, which witnessed high voter turnout, indicating public confidence in the democratic process.
S. Jaishankar further stated that while significant progress has been made, the final step towards complete resolution of the Kashmir issue lies in the return of the region that is currently under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. He made it clear that India’s stance on POK remains unchanged and reaffirmed that it is an integral part of the country. “We have done a good job solving most of the Kashmir issue. The only thing left is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir that is under illegal Pakistani occupation,” S. Jaishankar said.
The External Affairs Minister also referenced previous statements where he underscored India’s commitment to reclaiming POK. On May 9, 2024, during an interaction with students at Delhi University’s Gargi College, S. Jaishankar reiterated that every political party in India stands united on the issue and is committed to ensuring POK’s return. He emphasized that there is a parliamentary resolution that unequivocally states that POK belongs to India.
S. Jaishankar also pointed out that the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 played a pivotal role in bringing the POK issue to the forefront of national consciousness. According to him, the first step toward addressing an issue is ensuring that it remains a part of public discourse. He added that in the early years of independence, India did not take the necessary steps to force Pakistan to vacate the region, which led to the current situation.
The minister further criticized Pakistan’s role in Kashmir, suggesting that the region was unlawfully taken due to weak leadership decisions in the past. He stated that the Indian government is now determined to ensure that POK is not forgotten and remains a part of national strategy. S. Jaishankar’s remarks reaffirm India’s longstanding position and underline the government’s commitment to resolving the issue in alignment with India’s territorial integrity and national interests.
