Faizah Gilani
Kashmiris all over the world have been keeping a close eye on American politics after Joe Biden took charge as the 46th President of the United States of America. There has been a lot of discussion over what role the new administration is willing to take over Indian occupied Kashmir, and whether the new President would be ready to mediate over the long-standing dispute.
But hopes have been dashed over any possible involvement by the new administration after it was made clear that there would be no shift in Kashmir policy. Their stance was clarified in a recent State Department news briefing, in which its spokesperson Ned Price made it clear that there was no change in US policy in the region, and that the US still regards it as a territory disputed between India and Pakistan.
Since winning the election, the Biden administration has been vocal about its relationship with India and close aides of the president have lauded the Modi government, making it clear that the close relationship between the US and India shall continue. If there was any doubt left over America’s stance, the US State Department’s tweet on the resumption of 4G internet in IOK, where it referred to IOK as “India’s Jammu and Kashmir,” cleared that up.
Kashmiris from all walks of life across the globe took objection to it, and foreign office in Pakistan also voiced its disappointment over the reference. But the tweet reflects the State Department’s exact understanding of the dispute, and how little regard it has for Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination. The US continues to distance itself from the situation in Kashmir and will carry on looking the other way while India carries out its Human Rights violations.
America’s commitment towards India can be understood when we look at the global dominance of China. The United States sees India as the answer to China’s growing influence in the world, which is why the US continues to support India and strengthen ties between the two countries. Allies and enemies are formed depending on self-interest and benefits, so America’s position here is also agenda based.
It is sad to see that America, who claims to be the flag bearer of Human Rights and champion of democratic values, does not see the grave situation within IOK, nor does it appear to be rattled by the farmer’s protests or the treatment of Minorities under Narendra Modi’s government, which is driven by far-right ideological values. But this type of selective approach is not just exclusive to the United States. This is typical of governments and regimes around the world that react to situations depending on how it affects their country.
It is also necessary to highlight that Joe Biden is very much keen on recreating the Obama era. Joe Biden was vice president and served under Barack Obama, with whom he shared a close relationship. And it was Barack Obama who introduced Narendra Modi onto the world stage, helping him to become accepted internationally as a serious world leader. Barack Obama helped normalise the leadership of a man who was once denied a visa for the United States.
In order to continue his good friend’s legacy, Biden would want to build on the relationships that Obama cemented. So, perhaps one can argue that anyone expecting the new administration to take on the Kashmir issue, was being incredibly naïve. There was no real evidence to suggest that the new administration was going to make radical changes regarding Kashmir, it was mostly based on assumptions.
But perhaps many saw a glimmer of hope when vice president Kamala Harris raised concerns over the situation in Kashmir, last year. As Democratic candidate for presidential election, Harris had said, “We have to remind the Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world.” Kamala Harris, the first female VP and woman of colour, also happens to be of Indian descent.
But perhaps many saw a glimmer of hope when vice president Kamala Harris raised concerns over the situation in Kashmir, last year. As Democratic candidate for presidential election, Harris had said, “We have to remind the Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world.” Kamala Harris, the first female VP and woman of colour, also happens to be of Indian descent.
VP Kamala Harris ruffled many feathers within Indian quarters and Kashmiris welcomed the statement, taking it as a positive step towards acknowledging the plight of the Kashmiri people. As VP, Harris does not hold influence over policy making. One does, however, wonder if Kamala’s sentiments would have remained the same, had she been president. It would have been unlikely for her to take a strong position on Kashmir, as that would have damaged US-India ties, and the US would not be prepared to lose India as a key ally over Kashmir.
The US, unlike the UK, has not seen the Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora as effective in the US, or succeed in engaging with representatives in the same way as the Kashmiri community within the UK. There is a large Kashmiri and Pakistani community within the UK that are active in the political sphere and are working tirelessly towards advocating the situation within Kashmir.
The community within the UK has developed good ties with MPs of their respective constituents and this has helped in bringing the Kashmir dispute into discussion on the floor of Parliament. A good example of this is the debate within the House of Commons last month over the political situation in Kashmir. MP Sarah Owens, an outspoken MP over Kashmir, and an ally, made an impassioned speech, bringing attention to hardships faced by Kashmiris, focusing in particular on women and what they have to face at the hands of the Indian army.
But as we have seen with the US, the British government has failed to call out Modi’s government over Kashmir and its treatment of the people. It worries about rocking the boat when it comes to UK-India relations. But the major difference between the US and the UK is that some British MPs have been very outspoken and have openly criticised Modi. They also seem to have a better understanding of what Kashmiri’s face, and are more open to taking on board the concerns of their Kashmiri constituents.
In recent times, however, some US politicians have raised concerns over Kashmir and that should be acknowledged. Pramila Jayapal, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib and Bernie Sanders have all mentioned Kashmir after the revocation of article 370. Senator Sanders was critical of the Indian government during his run as candidate for the presidential campaign and raised the issue of Human Rights. Sadly, none of this has opened up major debate within America, and Kashmir continues to be an issue of less importance.
The Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora, in particular those living within the United States, must continue to exert pressure within their local communities, and engage with their respective representatives. They must continue to highlight the gross Human Rights violations that take place in Kashmir and this should be done on a regular basis, not just on selective occasions. Senators that have spoken out in the past should be approached and reminded that America has failed to side with what is morally right. They need to be reminded of Kashmir’s existence and its suffering.
The writer has studied History and Politics at Queen Mary University of London, and Near and Middle East Studies at SOAS, University of London.
