India has come heavily down on Pakistan for its decision to conduct elections in the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated India’s stand that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of so-called Gilgit and Baltistan, are its territories and Islamabad has no locus standi on the illegally and forcibly occupied areas.
According to sources, Pakistan’s decision to hold elections in disputed G-B is also influenced by China. Amid the ongoing tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China, Beijing is keen to foment trouble for New Delhi on the other front. “The Dragon is adding fuel to the fire by instigating Pakistan to provoke India on one issue or the other. It wants to fish in troubled water,” says an official.
“However, India is cautious and capable enough as well to deal with both Pakistan and China simultaneously,” says the official. According to MEA sources, even the US is convinced that “Pakistan’s move to hold elections in the disputed region smacks of China’s conspiracy.” Sources told The Daily Guardian that President Donald Trump will come out with a reaction suggesting it and slamming Pakistan over its connivance with China.” Indian and US officials have exchanged views on this issue recently, sources said.
Pakistan has announced that the election for the Legislative Assembly of GilgitBaltistan will be held on 15 November. Islamabad wants to make the disputed region its fifth province by holding elections. “India will protest tooth and nail on all the forums,” said officials.
Meanwhile, India on Tuesday slammed Pakistan for its decision to conduct elections in the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly. India also raised the issue of human rights violations in Pakistan occupied territories for over seven decades. India came out with a much stronger reaction asking Pakistan to “immediately vacate all Indian territories under its illegal occupation.”
“We have seen reports regarding the announcement of elections to the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly to be held on 15 November 2020. The Government of India has conveyed its strong protest to the Government of Pakistan and reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of socalled Gilgit and Baltistan are an integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947. The Government of Pakistan has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it,” the MEA statement said.
“The Government of India has also completely rejected the recent actions such as the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan (Elections and Caretaker Government) Amendment Order 2020” and continued attempts by the Pakistan establishment to bring material changes in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation. Action such as these can neither hide the illegal occupation of parts of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh by Pakistan nor the grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom to the people residing in Pakistan occupied territories for the past seven decades. These are cosmetic exercises intended to camouflage its illegal occupation. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation,” the statement further read.
There have been massive heated verbal exchanges between India and Pakistan over the past few weeks on the issue of Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan even tried to raise it at the United Nations where India gave it a befitting reply as well. Sources said that since Pakistan is adamant on holding polls in Gilgit-Baltistan, India will be countering it with a better, comprehensive and much sharper strategy. “Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to hold polls there has not gone down well with many in his own country, with scores of people in G-B, who have suffered a lot due to the acts of human violations by Pakistan’s forces, protesting,” a diplomat said. “Let’s see whether Imran Khan is able to hold the elections or not,” he added.