Abrogation of Article 370 : Pakistan Preparing for Nuclear War?
Abrogation of Article 370 : Jammu and Kashmir have always been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. Pakistan have always claimed Jammu and Kashmir to be a disputed territory. Since independence, India and Pakistan have fought three wars with respect to control over Jammu and Kashmir. Though being defeated in all the three wars related to Kashmir and being crushed in the War of 1971, when Bangladesh was created, Pakistan never learnt a lesson. 20 years since Kargil, two countries have been in state of Cold War with each other. During this period of so called “ceasefire” more than 5000 citizens have killed in the state of Jammu Kashmir by the Pakistan sponsored terrorists and continuous ceasefire violation by the Pakistan army.
Scrapping of Article 370
On 7th Of August 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370 by the President of India and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, India completely integrated Jammu Kashmir into India. The special status that the state of Jammu Kashmir enjoyed due to Article 370 came to an end. Due to the Article 370, though Jammu Kashmir was listed as a state in Indian dominion, the Constitution of India or the Laws made by Indian parliament did not apply to the state.
The abrogation of Article 370, however, was not accepted by our neighbor, Pakistan. Pakistan claims Kashmir to be its territory and wants to pursue the matter before United Nations and UN Security Council. However, the international powerhouses termed the move of India with respect to Jammu and Kashmir as its internal matter. United States of America has said India’s decision to revoke Article 370, which gave a special status to Kashmir, was the country’s “internal matter” and called for peace in the region. UAE and Maldives also backed India on its decision of revoking Article 370.
Pakistan’s Reaction
Neighbor Pakistan termed this move of India “irresponsible” and vowed to exercise all possible options against this move. Islamabad reacted to the abrogation of Article 370 by downgrading of diplomatic relations and suspension of bilateral trade. It also announced that its airspace would be partially closed to India, for a month. On Wednesday, 7th August, Pakistan expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and decided to call back its High Commissioner to India. It even suspended the Samjhauta Express train service and thereby ended all the diplomatic ties with India.
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The two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, have severed their relation since Balakot. After scrapping of Article 370, the two countries are bound to have a bitter future relation. However, since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, there has been complete change in approach in dealing with Pakistan. Previously, Pakistan have carried out several attacks on India with the help of its terrorists. Be it Mumbai or Hyderabad, none of the Indian cities remained safe. Added to it India never acted upon Pakistan even after losing hundreds of innocent lives.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Bluff
The last few years saw a complete change in approach of India in dealing with Pakistan. Fear of nuclear attack by Pakistan have always kept India restricted within its soil. However, after Uri and then Balakot, India demolished the nuclear bluff of Pakistan. Even after scrapping of Article 370, many believe that Pakistan may resort to nuclear attack if provoked further. One must remember that Pakistan will never risk Islamabad for Kashmir. Nuclear weapons when not used terms a country to be powerful, once used a nation loses all its respect. Though Pakistan, currently reeling under economic pressure, has nothing to lose will never tend to use its nuclear weapons at any cost.
Outcome
Abrogation of Article 370 was a historic moment for India. After more than 70 years of Independence, Jammu and Kashmir was completely integrated into India. Ladakh, got its long standing demand of Union Territory fulfilled. Added to it nation hopes for new beginning in the lives of people Jammu and Kashmir. However, the two neighbors have again entered into sharing a bitter relation.
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Nitesh Singh