The writer is a freelance columnist based in Islamabad
Foreign policy can be defined as the resistance offered by a state to the pressure coming from the international system. An efficient and pragmatic foreign policy of a state is the definitive bludgeon to secure international objectives and policy goals.Quite often, the foreign policy itself of a state depending upon the decision-makers significantly helps the state in securing domestic as well as international objectives. Pak foreign policy has always been dominated by its leaders and they have decisively shaped their external relations overshadowed by their personality and motivation.
The term “2K” stands for Kashmir and Khalistan. Both regions have a lot in common. It is a reality that Kashmir and Khalistan movements are the matter of international concern, since oppressed Muslims of Kashmir and suppressed Sikhs of India demand independence from Hindu-dominated India. Independence movements in Kashmir and Khalistan are the result of Hindu orchestrated and state-sponsored terrorism. The right of self-determination was envisioned in the United Nations Charter in 1945, and it clearly gives the right of independence to Kashmiri Muslims and Sikhs of India.
The Kashmiri Muslims made their choice to join Pakistan at the time of partition in 1947, but were deprived of their will and freedom by India. India has been a historic usurper and a violent power when it comes to human rights and the rights of minorities. It is not a surprise that Indian leadership is in a continuous control of extremist Hindu organisations that are ruthlessly pursuing their objective of “Hindutva” and “Akhand-Bharat” (Greater India). The so-called Indian secular state is overshadowed by the existence of extreme right-wing organisations like Arya Samaj, Rashtriya Swamsavek Sangh, Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sinha, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Preshad.
Operation Bluestar in 1984 was not aimed to remove alleged militants from Golden Temple but it was focused to fake Sikh identity and religion. It reflects Indian Hindu-mind that Indian army’s Major General Shabeg Singh, who played a significant role in training “Mukti Bahni” to fight Pakistan, was killed along with Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, for raising voice in favour of Sikh rights and freedom. The assassination of PM Indira Gandhi by her two Sikh guards was neither an individual nor an act of terrorism but it reflected the earnest desire of Sikhs to liberate themselves from the clutches of extremist Hindus.
It is imperative for Pakistan to enhance its support for the troubled and distressed Sikhs of India who enjoy more religious liberty in Islamic Pakistan as compared to so-called secular India. The support of Pakistan for Sikhs must not remain limited to diplomatic and political sectors but Pakistan may train and arm Sikh insurgents on the same pattern as India geared up and organised “Mukti Bahni”. The actions of Pakistan regarding Sikhs of India and Muslims of Kashmir have moral and ethical foundations and the abuse of human rights give Pakistan a just reason to help Indian Sikhs and Muslims.
Sikh people made enormous struggle for India and it is on record that many soldiers in Indian armed forces come from Sikh families. But it is quite strange that they are still treated as second class citizen in all of India. Sikhs are a distinct nation by every definition of a nation and their demand for a separate state is their natural right. Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, a martyr of Sikh Independence Movement, clearly believed that Sikhs cannot live with Hindus who exploited and betrayed Sikh nation right through the course of history.
The Organisation for Minorities of India (OFMI), an Organisation, which is responsible for bringing out news about Indian atrocities towards Sikhs and Muslims, has declared in its recent report that the Indian government has always sponsored violence against minorities using state-resources and apparatus. It is the moral and diplomatic obligation of Pakistan to help innocent Sikhs in India and Muslims of Kashmir from Indian butchers and their atrocities. The level and intensity of Indian propaganda against Pakistan can only be met with reciprocal proportionality.
PM Nawaz and his cabinet have to raise the issues of Kashmir and Khalistan to their foremost foreign policy priority. Solid steps are needed to put an end to Indian persecution of Sikhs and Muslims. The oppression of India can only be dealt with compassion for the victims of Indian state-sponsored violence and ethnic cleansing. Perhaps the personality and motivation of PM Nawaz is a stumbling block hindering Pakistan’s support for Khalistan and Kashmir. PM has to realise the situation and alter his approach towards India. An independent and sovereign Khalistan is the destiny of Indian Sikhs and the “Anschluss” (reunion) between Pakistan and Indian-Occupied-Kashmir is the ultimate fate of Kashmiri Muslims. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/10/02/comment/2k-should-be-pak-foreign-policys-first-priority/
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