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Modi backs freedom for Baloch
In a marked departure from India’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came out openly in support of ‘freedom’ for Balochistan.
New Delhi: In a marked departure from India’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came out openly in support of ‘freedom’ for Balochistan.
His comment is significant as invoking Balochistan targets both Pakistan and China. The China Pakistan Eco Corridor (CPEC) passes through Gilgit and Balochistan.
He also mentioned the Peshawar school attack and hit out at Pakistan for supporting terrorism. This, he said, was in contrast to the way Indians reacted with sorrow when terrorists slaughtered school children in Peshawar.
“I want to speak a bit about the people in Balochistan, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The world is watching. People of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days, the Prime Minister said in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.
I am grateful to them. He said the way people from these Pakistani regions "wished me well, gives me great joy," the Prime Minister said. “In thanking an Indian Prime Minister, "they have thanked the whole population of my country", he said.
Though Modi did not spell out why the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir had approached him, the implication was clear—that Modi was referring to alleged human rights abuses by Pakistan in these regions.
Gilgit-Baltistan has witnessed massive protests that erupted against a crackdown by Pakistan’s security forces in recent weeks and resource rich Balochistan province has seen a crackdown by the Pakistani authorities who say they are quelling an insurgency in the region.
In response, Baloch leader, Ashraf Sherjan thanked PM Modi for highlighting the Baloch cause for freedom internationally. Inshallah soon we will celebrate India’s and Balochistan’s independence day together. Jai Hind!, tweeted Ashraf Sherjan.
