With the situation in Indian-controlled Kashmir continuing to roil, the head of Pakistan-administered territory has urged Washington help resolve inflaming tensions in accordance with its ideals and commitment to basic freedoms of human beings around the world.
“As preeminent nation, the United States has a role and responsibility to deescalate the situation, and I hope the U.S. will see it (the Kashmir dispute and urest among people) in its ethos and see it as a case of right to self-determination,” President of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir Masood Khan said.
Khan made the argument at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. while also hoping that the Capitol Hill will also have a fair view of the dangerous situation arising out of the disputed territory that has seen more than 100 civilians killed in Indian attempt to quell demonstrations for freedom since July.
An attack on a mililtary base in Uri has further exacerbated tensions between the nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, who have blamed each other for the escalation.
But Khan said by refusing to hold dialogue on Kashmir, India is adopting a “myopic stance” and said the people of Jammu and Kashmir remain a key party to one of the oldest UN-recognized disputes.
For its part, Washington has expressed concern at the violence in Kashmir and has urged both New Delhi and Islamabad to hold talks toward calming their tensions and resolving the differencces.
Meanwhile, at the UN, India and Pakistan clashed over Kashmir, with their representatives engaging in a verbal duel.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj accused Islamabad of promoting terrorism and claimed Kashmir to be her country’s integral part.
Her speech at the UN General Assembly drew a stinging response from Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi.
“It is India that has long been a sponsor and practitioner of state terrorism,” Ambassador Lodhi told the forum, exercising her right of reply to the Indian chief delegate’s statement.
Dr. Lodhi said Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory.
She took exception to the raising of Balochistan issue by the Indian external affairs minister, saying it was a “blatant violation” of the principles of the UN Charter.
Outside the UN Headquarters Monday as the Indian delegate spoke, a group of Kashmiri Americans held protest demonstration, condemning Indian use of pellet guns against civilians in the disputed territory under New Delhi’s control.They demanded an end to Indian state repression in the territory and sought implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions.
