CHICAGO: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's eckless defiance to resolve the long-running Kashmir dispute is a threat to regional peace and stability, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Member, British House of Lords said here.
Speaking at the 52nd Annual Convention of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on the subject of, "Kashmir: A Case of Steadfastness in Chicago," Lord Nazir criticized the obstinate stand by the Indian Prime Minister and the recent remarks by the Indian army chief which, he said, could trigger war between the two nuclear countries.
"Tripartite negotiations between governments of India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leadership is the only way to resolve the outstanding dispute of Jammu & Kashmir," said Lord Nazir.
He urged the international community to take notice of belligerent statements by the Indian army chief Dalbir Singh about threats of a"limited war" with Pakistan which can lead to war and endanger world peace.
He warned that BJP supported by Shiv Sinna and RSS are implementing their desire of "Hindutva" and the international community should take notice of that.
Lord Nazir spoke at length about the continuing massive human rights atrocities and the brutalities committed by Indian army in Occupied Kashmir for several decades.
The shelling of Indian army on the Working Boundary in Pakistan and Line of Control (LoC) has caused many civilian casualties which is a breach of international law, he said.
He appealed to the United States administration to help end these atrocities in Kashmir; and persuade both India and Pakistan to explore a mechanism so that the people of Jammu & Kashmir can exercise their right
of self-determination. "I want to see free distribution of pens and computers, and not guns and grenades," Lord added.
He said that India and Pakistan could not talk about Kashmir and at the same time exclude the Kashmiri leadership from these talks, adding that the people of Kashmir were the important party to the dispute.
He said that Kashmiri diaspora would play an important role to pave the way for creating a conducive atmosphere for the dialogue that can lead to a durable and lasting settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
Lord Nazir called upon the Indian government to issue the passports to the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat conference to enable them to attend the forthcoming "Million-Man- March" on October 25, 2015 in New York City.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness, said because both India and Pakistan, being nuclear weapon states directly confronting each other, this dispute is potentially the most dangerous in the world.
"It should, therefore, be a major interest of the U.S. to prevent this dispute from exploding into a conflict which can be catastrophic for a large proportion of the human race," he added.
Dr Fai dismissed the mantra repeated by Indian Minister for External Affairs, Shushma Swaraj, that Kashmir was an integral part of India. Fai explained that Kashmir is recognized - under international law and by the United States - as a disputed territory.
He quoted President Obama who said on November 8, 2010, that Kashmir was the long-standing dispute.
Fai explained that India repeated too often to resolve the Kashmir dispute through bilateral talks with Pakistan.
The experience of sixty-nine years testifies that bilateral talks between India and Pakistan have yielded no agreements.
The missing element is the inclusion of the Kashmiri leadership in the talks with the support of the United States, he emphasized.
Professor (Dr.) Imtiyaz Kahn, Vice President, Kashmiri American Council (KAC) and Emcee of the event said that the Kashmir question was one of the oldest unresolved international conflicts in the world.
He said that the people of Kashmir demand of the Indian government to release political prisoners in Indian occupied Kashmir.
They also demand that Government of India must annul various special repressive laws; and restore the rights of peaceful association, assembly and demonstrations.
Other Kashimir leaders and speakers urged the world powers to persuade both India and Pakistan to demilitarize Jammu & Kashmir from both sides of the Ceasefire Line.
A large number of people attended the convention and raised slogans in support of the Kashmir people and demanded the United Nations and the United States to intervene to resolve the dispute that could pose danger to the world peace.
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