EAM Jaishankar bats for return of PoK draws parallel with Article 370 move.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reiterated India’s stance on regaining Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, stating all political parties remain committed to PoK becoming part of India.
While addressing students in Delhi, Jaishankar noted that after the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which was previously deemed unimaginable, PoK has increasingly entered public discourse.
He credited the BJP government’s decision to revoke the special status as helping reshape perceptions around what is possible. “Once we change it, the entire ground situation changes,” the minister said regarding Article 370.
Jaishankar argued that with Article 370 rendered null, the issue of retrieving PoK—which New Delhi has legally claimed—has gained greater traction in citizens’ minds. He said the resolution of the dispute is a long-held parliamentary resolve.
“I want to say one thing. I didn’t use to get people to ask us about this ten years ago or even five years ago. It is when we have put 370 to rest, now people understand, yes PoK is also important,” Jaishankar stated.
Separately in PoK, protests are scheduled for May 11 over widespread economic woes, rising unemployment, and inflation in Muzaffarabad. Activists have accused the Pakistani administration of using coercive tactics to disrupt the planned demonstrations.
Their demands include paying outstanding salaries and pensions and resolving the power and resource crises afflicting the region under Islamabad’s control.
