What Did the Middle East Think of India’s Kashmir Change?
THE DIPLOMAT
The response from the Muslim powers in the Middle East has been noticeably muted.
Kashmir’s special autonomous status was challenged this week when the Indian government of Narendra Modi passed a bill revoking Article 370 of the constitution. With the change, the predominately Muslim region of Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded from a state to a union territory – and thus lost its freedom to design and enact its own laws. Previously the Jammu and Kashmir government enjoyed autonomy, save for decisions on foreign affairs, defense, finance, and communications.
The response in India’s neighborhood was immediate. Pakistan condemned the move and downgraded relations, removing its ambassador and stopping trade. Pakistan also brought the matter to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which represents 57 Muslim-majority countries around the world, and its Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. It issued a condemnation and reiterated the international status of the Kashmir dispute. China, similarly, pointed out the international implications, stating that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved jointly by India and Pakistan. China’s position may also have been influenced by the parallel move to declare Ladakh, which is claimed by Beijing, an Indian union territory.
