Foreign minister S Jaishankar and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo

NEW DELHI: As the Centre changed the character and status of Jammu & Kashmir by defanging the contentious Article 370 of the Constitution, the Modi government moved quickly to answer queries and allay apprehensions of the international community.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday met envoys of key countries, including the US, China, UK, France and Russia, to explain India’s rationale. MEA is briefing its overseas missions to sensitise their host countries as well. “It was highlighted that the proposals which are currently under consideration of Parliament of India are internal to India. These are aimed at providing good governance, promoting social justice and ensuring economic development in J&K,” said a source.

Foreign minister S Jaishankar laid the groundwork last week by sensitising US secretary of state Mike Pompeo during his meeting in Bangkok. Monday’s decision, therefore, was not a surprise to Washington. Next weekend, Jaishankar will travel to China on his first visit as foreign minister and hold more detailed conversations with the Chinese leadership on the J&K issue.

The external environment is very different today. Terrorism now occupies a large part of global consciousness— politically and diplomatically. India’s contention that Kashmir is a ground for cross-border terror groups finds greater resonance. India reckons this will make it easier for the world to accept the changes.

In a curious way, the Trump-Imran talk about “mediation” and the US decision to leave Afghanistan may have advanced the clock on the Indian decision. Pakistan is expected to “deliver” the Afghan peace process, as Trump asked Imran Khan to “extricate” the US from Afghanistan. As in previous years, Pakistan has demanded that pressure be brought on India to begin negotiations on Kashmir as a price for its cooperation. India on Monday deprived Pakistan of that negotiating ploy. As Afghanistan enters a more uncertain phase once the NATO forces leave, India worries that Pakistan could send a number of ‘out-of-work’ jihadi fighters into Kashmir. The government reckons Monday’s decision will help in creating a more acceptable security matrix in J&K.

The Indian government’s talking points take off from home minister Amit Shah’s statements in Parliament. The crux of the government’s explanation is about opening J&K up for more development—both social and economic—countering Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and integrating the state more closely with the rest of India; that the now-scrapped Article 35A deprived women of property rights; that neither the Right to Education nor Right to Information (in whatever form) existed in the state; and that gender discrimination was inbuilt in the earlier system, etc.

Pakistan is predictably livid and has threatened to take the issue to the UN Security Council. Certainly, it will make a spirited pitch against the Indian decision during the forthcoming UN General Assembly session in September. The Indian government is gearing up to present a robust defence.

The US’s reaction will be closely watched. The UK, with its sizeable Pakistani population, could raise some objections, but officials here are sceptical that London would do so, particularly as they are amid their own reorganisation with Brexit. China is not likely to raise major objections either – Beijing is currently trying to put a lid on the situation in Hong Kong and pushing back against global criticism of its treatment of Muslims in Xinjiang.

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