Day 47 – Q 1.In what ways will the abrogation of Article 370 affect India’s relations with Pakistan? Examine.

1. In what ways will the abrogation of Article 370 affect India’s relations with Pakistan? Examine.

किन तरीकों से अनुच्छेद 370 का हनन भारत के पाकिस्तान के साथ संबंधों को प्रभावित करेगा? जांच करें।

Introduction:

Recently, the government of India has repealed Article 370 of the Constitution which used to grant special status to J&K and till now restricted Indian parliament to make any laws for the state and it can only preside over the subjects like Defence, External Affairs, and communication. Now J&K is divided into two Union Territories, one of Jammu and Kashmir with legislative assembly and another of Ladakh without legislative assembly.

Body: 

Erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir is divided between Indian and Pakistani administered territories. The crucial border between them is known as the “Line of Control.” So Pakistan has a keen interest in the affairs of state of Jammu and Kashmir. This is why the abrogation of Article 370 will affect India’s relation with Pakistan.

The abrogations of Article 370 affect India’s relations with Pakistan in the following ways:

• Bilateral Relation: Islamabad downgraded its diplomatic mission in Delhi and asked India to withdraw its envoy to Pakistan in retaliation. Although, ambassadors were not engaged in any serious political dialogue and just doing representational functional, so it will not affect much between two countries. 
• Trade: Pakistan decided for suspension of bilateral trade to lodge its protest against New Delhi’s move to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. This won’t affect India much as India and Pakistan have very minuscule bilateral trade. However, this will hurt Pakistan as their textiles industry imports 65% Cotton from India.
• Cultural: Pakistan has decided to ban all cultural exchanges with India, including all kinds of joint ventures between the entertainment industries of the two countries. As the Pakistan government has banned the screening of Indian films in the country’s cinemas, this will affect the box office as Bollywood has a huge fan following in Pakistan. 
• Travel: Countries have stopped functioning of Samjhauta express train. This will affect the divided Muslim and Sikh families in both countries. Islamabad also announced that its airspace would be partially closed to India, for a month. This will cost more to Indian airlines flying to the west. Pakistan has, however, kept the Kartarpur project alive.
• Terrorism: Pakistan threatened for more Pulwama like attacks. Pakistan will provoke Kashmiri people for anti- India sentiments and sponsor and radicalize them for stone pelting, militancy and terrorism. This will create a more volatile situation in the valley and is a threat to India’s internal security. 
• Tension on Border and War:  Cross border shelling will increase on the border. Moreover, there is a threat of war between the two nuclear nations. Chances are less as Pakistan is going through an economic crisis right now. 

Conclusion: 

Pakistan is trying to internationalize the issue. Pakistan’s narrative in this subject has very little substance. Both countries should go for a bilateral resolution of J&K issue of disputed territory peacefully under the Shimla Agreement of 1972. Domestically, India should also pump adequate funds in Jammu and Kashmir for developmental projects and win the confidence of the people to counter radicalization and militancy. India should also be very careful to avoid any Pulawama like attacks and be vigilant on borders.