Jaishankar’s Strong Response to Pakistan Journalist on Kashmir Issue

At a recent international forum, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, delivered a sharp and assertive response to a question posed by a Pakistani journalist regarding the Kashmir issue. His remarks, particularly on the status of Jammu and Kashmir and India’s vision for the region, underscored India’s firm stance on the matter and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring what he called the "stolen part" of Kashmir.

India’s Progress in Jammu and Kashmir

Jaishankar emphasized that India has successfully addressed major aspects of the Kashmir situation. He highlighted key steps taken in recent years, starting with the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and integrated the region fully with the Indian Union. He further pointed out the successful holding of elections in the region, which saw high voter participation, as a sign of strengthening democratic processes. Additionally, he noted the economic and social development initiatives undertaken to foster stability and prosperity in the region.

However, the minister made it clear that the unresolved part of the issue is the return of the territory under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. He stated that India continues to seek the reunification of all of Jammu and Kashmir, including the regions currently administered by Pakistan, and that the resolution of this matter remains an essential part of India’s long-term strategy.

Countering the Narrative on ‘Illegal Occupation’

The Pakistani journalist, in his question, claimed that India is "illegally occupying" Kashmir and that the people of the region are resisting Indian control. He further suggested that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could leverage his close ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a peace deal on Kashmir.

Jaishankar firmly refuted this perspective, reiterating that India has taken significant steps to resolve the internal aspects of the Kashmir issue. He countered the claim that India is an occupier, instead shifting the focus to Pakistan’s illegal occupation of parts of Kashmir, which he described as the missing piece in achieving full resolution. He also dismissed external mediation as unnecessary, reaffirming India’s stance that Kashmir is an internal matter and does not require foreign intervention.

India’s Role in the Global South and Multilateralism

Beyond Kashmir, Jaishankar also addressed broader global concerns, particularly regarding India’s role in the Global South. He highlighted how India has provided developmental assistance to nearly 80 countries through over 600 projects. He stressed that the emergence of India as a global player offers more choices to developing nations, reducing dependency on Western or Chinese-led initiatives.

Jaishankar positioned India as a key partner in shaping a multipolar world, one where smaller nations can have stronger negotiating power by engaging with multiple stakeholders. He underlined that the expansion of India’s influence is a positive development for countries in the Global South, as it broadens their strategic options and enhances their economic and political resilience.

Jaishankar’s response to the Pakistani journalist was not only a robust defense of India’s position on Kashmir but also a reaffirmation of its sovereignty over the region. By articulating a vision focused on development, democracy, and national integrity, he reinforced India’s commitment to a stable and prosperous Kashmir. At the same time, his emphasis on a multipolar world order highlighted India’s rising influence on the global stage, making it clear that India intends to play a decisive role in shaping the future of international diplomacy.