Jaishankar’s Bold Stand on PoK: Bharat’s Unwavering Resolve for Complete Kashmir Resolution

Paromita Das

New Delhi: Bharat’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a dramatic shift in recent years, with the government taking decisive steps to restore stability, economic growth, and social justice in the region. The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was a historic moment that reshaped the political landscape of Kashmir, reinforcing Bharat’s sovereignty over the territory. However, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar has made it clear that the process of resolving the Kashmir issue is not yet complete—the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to Bharat remains the final step in achieving full territorial integrity.

Jaishankar’s recent remarks rejecting any third-party intervention on Kashmir and emphasizing that PoK’s return is a national commitment reflect Bharat’s firm stance on the matter. His statements underscore a renewed focus on reclaiming PoK, bringing it back to the forefront of Bharat’s diplomatic and political discourse.

Jaishankar’s Firm Message: No Third-Party Intervention, Only Action

Dr. Jaishankar categorically dismissed any foreign involvement in Kashmir, asserting that Bharat has already taken decisive measures to address internal concerns. He highlighted three key milestones in Bharat’s strategy for Jammu and Kashmir:

• The removal of Article 370, which ensured the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of Bharat.
• Restoring economic growth and social justice, creating opportunities for all communities.
• Holding successful elections with high voter turnout, reaffirming democratic governance in the region.

Jaishankar declared that the only unresolved part of the Kashmir issue is PoK, which remains under Pakistan’s illegal control. “The part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which is under illegal Pakistani occupation. When that’s done, I assure you, Kashmir is solved,” he asserted.

Jaishankar’s Consistent Stand on PoK: A National Commitment

This is not the first time Jaishankar has made a strong statement on PoK. On May 9, 2024, while speaking at Delhi University’s Gargi College, he reaffirmed that every political party in Bharat is committed to reclaiming PoK. He referred to the Bharatiya Parliament’s 1994 resolution, which unanimously declared that PoK is an integral part of Bharat and must be retrieved.

“There is a Parliament resolution, and every political party in this country is committed to ensuring that PoK, which is a part of Bharat, returns to Bharat. That is our national commitment,” Jaishankar stated.

He also linked the revival of discussions on PoK to the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, arguing that Bharat’s bold decision to remove Kashmir’s special status rekindled national consciousness on the issue.

“Because we finally took the right decision on Article 370, the PoK issue has come to the forefront of people’s thinking. The first prerequisite for something happening is that it should be in your thoughts,” he emphasized.

Why PoK Remains a Key Concern in Bharat’s Foreign Policy

Jaishankar’s remarks reflect a larger strategic and geopolitical vision for Bharat’s security and foreign policy. PoK’s continued illegal occupation by Pakistan has remained a source of regional instability, with Pakistan-backed terrorism, human rights violations, and geopolitical maneuvering by China complicating the situation.

On May 5, 2024, during an event in Cuttack, Odisha, Jaishankar accused past Bharatiya governments of neglecting the PoK issue, allowing Pakistan to maintain illegal control over the territory.

He strongly criticized Bharat’s post-independence stance, stating that the country failed to pressure Pakistan to vacate PoK in the early years.

“PoK has never been out of this country. There is a resolution of the Bharatiya Parliament that PoK is very much a part of Bharat. We didn’t tell Pakistan to vacate the region in the early years, and that’s why this sorry state of affairs continued,” he remarked.

Jaishankar compared Pakistan’s occupation of PoK to a stolen house, saying, “When you have someone who is not a responsible custodian of the house, someone from outside steals from it.”

His strong language underscores the government’s shifting approach—moving from diplomatic silence to assertive declarations on reclaiming PoK.

Pakistan’s Reaction and International Implications

Jaishankar’s statements have shaken the political discourse in Pakistan, with its leadership denouncing Bharat’s position and warning of consequences. Pakistan’s government has repeatedly tried to internationalize the Kashmir issue, but Bharat’s firm rejection of third-party intervention has effectively neutralized such attempts.

While China continues to support Pakistan on Kashmir, Bharat’s growing global stature, strategic partnerships, and economic strength have ensured that its narrative dominates in international forums.

With the revival of discussions on PoK, Bharat is signaling a more aggressive stance on territorial sovereignty, making it clear that it will not accept Pakistan’s continued illegal control of the region.

PoK – A Question of When, Not If

Jaishankar’s remarks mark a significant shift in Bharat’s approach to the PoK issue. Unlike in the past, when PoK was treated as a dormant issue, it is now a central theme in national security discourse.

With the abrogation of Article 370, economic growth in Kashmir, and strong voter turnout in democratic elections, Bharat has successfully countered Pakistan’s false narratives. The next logical step in this strategy, as outlined by Jaishankar, is reclaiming PoK.

The Bharatiya government is likely to adopt a multi-pronged approach:

• Diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to vacate PoK, using international platforms to highlight Pakistan’s illegal occupation.
• Strengthening the military presence along the LoC, ensuring readiness for any strategic moves.
• Boosting Kashmir’s economic and political stability, making the Bharatiya-controlled region an example of progress and governance.
• Highlighting human rights violations in PoK, exposing Pakistan’s mistreatment of the region’s people.

Jaishankar’s assertion that Kashmir is “solved” once PoK returns is not just rhetoric—it reflects a long-term vision where Bharat will actively work towards reclaiming its lost territory.

Conclusion: Bharat’s Steadfast Commitment to Reclaiming PoK

Jaishankar’s repeated and unequivocal statements on PoK confirm that Bharat is no longer willing to ignore the issue. The revival of the PoK debate signals a stronger and more assertive Bharat, committed to rectifying historical wrongs and securing its territorial sovereignty.

While Pakistan continues to resist Bharat’s stance, the paradigm shift in Bharat’s foreign policy ensures that PoK remains a core issue on the national agenda.

With a clear commitment from every political party, a unanimous Parliament resolution, and growing public awareness, the return of PoK is no longer a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’.

As Jaishankar aptly put it, “When that’s done, I assure you, Kashmir is solved.”