People Living In PoK Comparing Themselves To Those Living In J&K: Jaishankar

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the analysis of the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is complex but residents there must compare themselves to those living in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, referring to the steps taken by the government to develop the Kashmir region.

“There is a ferment happening in PoK, you can see it on social media or television. The analysis of it is very complex but definitely, I have no doubt in my own mind that someone living in PoK is comparing their situation with someone actually living in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that how is it that people today are actually progressing there,” Jaishankar said.

The external affairs minister made the remarks in Kolkata at an event organised to release the Bangla edition of his book Why Bharat Matters.

He said that people there are now feeling that they have been occupied and have been mistreated.

“They know that sense of being under occupation, of being discriminated, of being treated badly, clearly that any such comparison would be preying on their minds,” Jaishankar further added.

A civil unrest has been going on in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as residents there alleged discrimination and mistreatment at the hands of Pakistani law enforcement and the government.

The civil unrest was triggered when Pakistan police tried to clamp down on a protests under the banner of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) which was seeking the provision of electricity as per hydropower generation cost in the region, subsidised wheat flour and an end to the privileges of the elite class.

Clashes broke out between the resident and the police personnel when the latter tried to stop a rally for Muzaffarabad via Kotli and Poonch districts.

One police officer was killed and more than 100 people, mostly policemen, injured in violent clashes between security forces and agitating protesters. Some protesters also demanded a merger with India.

Jaishankar in Kolkata said PoK is an inseparable part of India and there is no question of a ‘merger’. “I don’t know what you mean by merge because it has been India, it will always be,” Jaishankar said.

US Chabahar Port Sanction Threat and LS Poll Criticism

The external affairs minister also urged parties to not take a ‘narrow view’ while discussing the India-Iran Chabahar Port Deal. “I think it’s a question of communicating, convincing and getting people to understand that this is actually for everyone’s benefit. I don’t think people should take a narrow view of it,” Jaishankar said.

“f you look at the US’ own attitude towards the port in Chabahar, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevance…we will work at it,” he said.

The US warned of sanctions and said anyone doing business with Iran must be wary of the sanctions in place after Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) of India and the Port & Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran on Monday signed a long-term bilateral contract on Chabahar port operation.

The external affairs minister also brushed off criticism of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections by western media outlets and urged them not to give ‘gyan’.

“Countries which have to go to court to decide the result of their election are giving us gyan about how to conduct the election. This is the mind game that is happening in the world,” he said.

“Western media in some cases have openly endorsed candidates and political parties, they don’t hide their preference. They are very smart, somebody is doing this domination game for 300 years, they learn a lot,” he further added.