On Monday 18th September the APPG for Indo-Pacific met to discuss issues related to Jammu and Kashmir. On the same day PM Modi inaugurated the special parliamentary session in the old Sansad whichthen moved to the new Bharat Sansad Bhavan on Ganesh Chaturthi day. Two Parliaments, separated by distance, but tied by their common recent history, discussing issues related to Bharat.
The aim of the Indo-Pacific APPG is to supply an overall perspective on the Indo-Pacific region. It focuses on security and matters relating to geo-politics, and their impact globally. Interestingly it also counters false propaganda and provides information on the region to drive more cooperation between like-minded democracies.
Though the attendance was lower than expected, maybe due to Ganesh Chaturthi, those who came witnessed quite an interesting debate.
Theresa Villiers kicked off the session with her observations on several issues emerging from the recent G20 summit (Namaste G20) held in Bharat. She was very clear that it was a major diplomatic success for PM Modi. In particular, to secure the agreement of the other 19 nations to the summit declaration literally on the very first day was nothing short of monumental. Couple that with the masterstroke of engaging with and making the African Union a formal part of the G20 was history in the making.
She was rather concerned with China and its behaviour. The bottom line it seems is that as China gets stronger, it becomes a bigger danger to the western world, and in particular tothe UK. China scored an own goal of course by its infantile politics of not attending the G20 at the premier level.
Another speaker who brought a unique insight was BurzineWaghmar an affiliate of the Centre for Iranian Studies and SOAS South Asia Institute and School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Burzinetalked in depth about the Kashmir issue. In particular, the very origins of the present-day conflict which of course dates to the time of the partition. What most people don’t know is that from the onset, Pakistan never wanted a plebiscite. Yes, you read that correctly. In all the early communicationsafter independence, Pakistan never made any mention of any plebiscite. This whole idea was the ‘brainchild’ of Lord Mountbatten. Yep folks, it seems the British really did want to leave India with a monumental mess.
Talking about Kashmir and guess who was visiting Parliament? It was none other thaninternationally renownedShri Sushil Pandit from India. The man with a fountain of unparalleled knowledge and experience when it comes to Kashmir. His input to the debate took it to a totally different level. Did you know that the then Maharaja Hari Singh, ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, wanted to accede to India? He made several attempts to get this done, but it was Nehru who stifled the accession. Jammu and Kashmir has always been integral to India, even when people like Nehru and Mountbatten made every effort to hinder the process. If you want to learn more, then read his book: "Truth About Kashmir: Story of Kashmir and Kashmiri Hindus".
The voice of theIndo-Pacific APPGneeds to be amplified. Its remit is vast, but it’s good to see that even on controversial issues, it will hopefully take a stand. Long may this continue since we all know, appeasement never works. I am also sure that it would welcome support from all of you.
Follow upnote for readers:Recently we discussed ancestry and I had asked how many generations we can go back.So my full name can be written as: Kapil Shantilal Amratlal Ramji Kurji Valji Karshanji Dhanji DosabhaiVastajiSamatjiHamirjiMandaljiRanmaljiHirabhaiPanchalbhai Dudaji Chandraji DUDAKIA. I make that 18 generations and it takes us back to around 1650CE. However, I bow to Kishorsinh D Jadeja, he wrote to me with his name: KishorsinhDevisinhjiSamatsinhjiKhimajiBhabhaniaji Dudaji MaljiMerujiSanghajiMaanjiMandricjkiRanmaljiJakhrajiVikramsinhModhjiBabarjiHingorajiKanhaiyajiDhuniajiLakhajiRaidhanjiHalojiGajanjiRaidhanjiLakhajJamJada. Now that is 25 generations and takes us back to around 1500CE. Just incredible.
