DNA Edit: Diplomatic parleys - New Delhi proves it is well up to the task

The diplomatic offensive by Pakistan on Kashmir is set to intensify. After the drama this week, where the Maldivian Parliament discussing sustainable developments goals became an unlikely setting for a heated exchange between representatives of India and Pakistan on Kashmir, the contours of forthcoming diplomacy are crystal clear. Islamabad will use every multi-lateral forum to hammer home its point on Kashmir — even a sporting event may be fair game, if the occasion presents itself. 

Naturally, New Delhi is girding up its loins, when it comes to big-ticket events like the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at Geneva. The Indian team is being led by senior diplomat Ajay Bisaria — until recently the high commissioner to Pakistan — to boost the country’s presence there.

The session, which is to be held between September 9-27, is going to be action packed, as far as Kashmir is concerned.  Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is also in the midst of some of the most hectic diplomatic parleys in recent history. He has reached out to key members of the UNHRC, including India’s neighbours like Nepal and Bangladesh.

Last week, he met with leaders of Visegrad countries during his visit to Hungary and Poland. Three out of the four Visegrad countries — Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary — are in the Council this year. Jaishankar has also held talks with both the European Council and the European Commission. On Sunday, he met European Commission’s Vice-President Federica Mogherini, who is also the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in Brussels, to discuss the situation in Kashmir.

Jaishankar debriefed Mogherini on the “state of play and on the security situation”, a statement issued by European Union mentioned. It also stated that the “High Representative reaffirmed the EU’s support to a peaceful solution to the crisis in Kashmir through bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan”. So, it would be fair to say that the all powerful EU, too, has endorsed India’s position. Pakistan’s frustration is understandable.

After being rebuffed at the UN Security Council on August 16, it pitched for a special session on Kashmir at HRC, but failed to get the 16 votes needed to organise such a session. It is now left with two options — a special discussion on Kashmir or to move a resolution against India. 

Clearly, the way ahead is a robust diplomatic offensive and New Delhi is off to a good start. Understandably, Indian diplomats have been told to be on their guard at all such outings.