Kashmir Movement to persist as BJP, Congress maintain aligned policies

Islamabad: The Kashmir movement is expected to continue as a significant issue, despite shifts in Indian political dynamics following the general elections.

Experts assert that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress uphold similar policies regarding Kashmir, ensuring a consistent stance on the matter. During the 23rd IPS Working Group on Kashmir meeting, titled ‘Third BJP Government: India’s Kashmir Policy and its Future Outlook,’ various experts analysed the current situation and its implications.

The session, organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Islamabad and moderated by Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice-chairman IPS, featured insights from Khalid Rahman, chairman IPS, Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali, security analyst and strategist, Dr. Waleed Rasool, director of the Institute of Multi-Track Dialogue Development & Diplomatic Studies, Dr. Raja Sajjad Muhammad Khan, director of the Kashmir Policy Research Institute, Iftikhar Gillani, an Ankara-based Kashmiri journalist, and Farzana Yaqoob, former minister of AJK and IPS research associate.

The discussion highlighted the necessity for Pakistan to adopt a comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy to counter India's unchanging policies. The BJP’s recent shift of administrative powers from the chief minister to the lieutenant governor in anticipation of the upcoming legislative assembly elections in September 2024 was noted as part of India’s broader strategy to secure de jure authority over Kashmir.

Despite the BJP’s weakened position post-elections, India continues to project an image of dominance over occupied Kashmir. This includes legislative changes, media manipulation, and pressure on pro-India Kashmiri parties to align with national policies. Experts emphasised that the increased voter turnout in Kashmir, from 19.6% in 2019 to 50.86% in 2024, signals a resilient use of voting as resistance. The speakers also underscored the importance of mobilising Kashmiri youth, leveraging AJK’s legal standing in international forums, and highlighting Indian atrocities to build a supportive narrative. Pakistan’s strategy should encompass legal, social, political, economic, security, diplomatic, diaspora, ideological, intellectual, and historical

dimensions. Additionally, utilising literature, film, and meticulously compiled historical data on Indian abuses are crucial components.