New Delhi’s statement on UNMOGIP in Jammu Kashmir merits a study. The
issue was first raised during Vajpayee’s regime. His response, however,
was very mature saying, it (UNMOGIP) was not harming India in any way.
India filed a complaint at the United Nations on January 1, 1948 under
Chapter VI of the UN Charter. Under this chapter, military observers are
not appointed.
However, it so happened that at times a court while granting relief gives much more than what is actually sought. While passing resolutions seeking an impartial plebiscite, the UN Security Council appointed military observers. This is where Nehru received a shock having never anticipated appointment of the UN military observers in Kashmir.
Nehru was fully aware of the consequences of filing a complaint at the UN. He did it much to the annoyance of his home Minister, Sardar Patel, and the situation in Kashmir was discussed by the Security Council. A commission known as United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) was formed and scores of resolutions were passed. But, after six decades the conflict continues to be on the UN agenda.
Patel was a shrewd politician. But, according to Kashmir watchers, Nehru knew what Patel was not aware of. By the end of December 1947, the Indian Army had reached where it stands now. It has now been established that the government of India did not want to go beyond what was captured by its troops up to December. It is also believed that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah persuaded Nehru to leave the people of what now constitutes Azad Kashmir alone for ‘political reasons’. Nehru knew the UN could not do anything if a complaint was lodged under chapter VI. Today many Kashmiris believe that the UN resolutions have delayed resolution of the Jammu Kashmir conflict. And that is exactly what Nehru wanted.
Political experts have, by and large, ignored the role of USSR during those crucial years when Kashmir was being discussed in the United Nations. India was its trusted ally then and continued to remain faithful till its disintegration in early 90s. But, USSR abstained from voting every time Kashmir came up for discussion at the UN. It is quite safe to presume that the erstwhile socialist republic facilitated the resolutions by its absence. Did USSR abstain from voting at New Delhi's behest?
On April 21, 1948, the UN Security Council passed a resolution seeking measures for settling the Kashmir dispute. Surprisingly, the USSR did not participate in voting. Had USSR exercised its veto, the resolution would have been blocked. This was not the first time when USSR abstained from voting. The former superpower did not try to block the resolutions. The UN passed as many as 20 resolutions urging both India and Pakistan to settle the issue through an impartial plebiscite. The process of passing resolutions continued up to December 1971, and every time USSR was conspicuous by its absence.
On the other hand the USA took active part in deliberations and also mustered support from member countries in favour of the resolutions. Shockingly, nobody has ever made a mention of the ‘dubious’ role played by the USSR during those crucial years. Was it a failure of New Delhi’s foreign policy or the result of an understanding between the two ‘trusted friends’?
Nehru was severely criticized for taking the Kashmir dispute to UN in 1948. Kashmir experts say Nehru knew the UN would only delay the issue. Today Nehru stands vindicated, but only partially. There is no denying the fact that the UN has failed to settle the dispute. But, according to the resistance camp, the world body has kept the issue alive through its resolutions although an ideological war ensued in early 1990s because of January 5, 1949 resolution which restricts Kashmiri self-determination to joining India or Pakistan. And, the presence of UNMOGIP is a reminder of Kashmir’s disputed legacy.
The failure of the UN in solving the dispute as per its resolutions has been widely debated, especially since December 1996 when UN dropped Kashmir from its agenda. The issue was taken up again when Islamabad registered strong protest amid hectic lobbying for its case.
The statement of former Secretary General, Kofi Anan evoked severe reaction from Islamabad and pro-resistance camp here. He said UN had no role to play in Kashmir resolution unless a joint request from India and Pakistan was made. Noted columnist Sheikh Showkat Husain believes Anan knew his limitations. However, according to him, the resolutions are important because the world community accepted and ratified the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu Kashmir.
Nehru’s plan failed with the appointment of UNMOGIP. The USSR could have blocked this at least but it abstained, most probably at Nehru’s request. Whom should be blame for this? Nehru, USSR or both?
However, it so happened that at times a court while granting relief gives much more than what is actually sought. While passing resolutions seeking an impartial plebiscite, the UN Security Council appointed military observers. This is where Nehru received a shock having never anticipated appointment of the UN military observers in Kashmir.
Nehru was fully aware of the consequences of filing a complaint at the UN. He did it much to the annoyance of his home Minister, Sardar Patel, and the situation in Kashmir was discussed by the Security Council. A commission known as United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) was formed and scores of resolutions were passed. But, after six decades the conflict continues to be on the UN agenda.
Patel was a shrewd politician. But, according to Kashmir watchers, Nehru knew what Patel was not aware of. By the end of December 1947, the Indian Army had reached where it stands now. It has now been established that the government of India did not want to go beyond what was captured by its troops up to December. It is also believed that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah persuaded Nehru to leave the people of what now constitutes Azad Kashmir alone for ‘political reasons’. Nehru knew the UN could not do anything if a complaint was lodged under chapter VI. Today many Kashmiris believe that the UN resolutions have delayed resolution of the Jammu Kashmir conflict. And that is exactly what Nehru wanted.
India was a trusted ally of USSR and remained faithful till its disintegration in early 1990s. But, the former superpower abstained from voting every time Kashmir came up for discussion at the UN facilitating the resolutions. Did USSR abstain from voting at New Delhi's behest?
Political experts have, by and large, ignored the role of USSR during those crucial years when Kashmir was being discussed in the United Nations. India was its trusted ally then and continued to remain faithful till its disintegration in early 90s. But, USSR abstained from voting every time Kashmir came up for discussion at the UN. It is quite safe to presume that the erstwhile socialist republic facilitated the resolutions by its absence. Did USSR abstain from voting at New Delhi's behest?
On April 21, 1948, the UN Security Council passed a resolution seeking measures for settling the Kashmir dispute. Surprisingly, the USSR did not participate in voting. Had USSR exercised its veto, the resolution would have been blocked. This was not the first time when USSR abstained from voting. The former superpower did not try to block the resolutions. The UN passed as many as 20 resolutions urging both India and Pakistan to settle the issue through an impartial plebiscite. The process of passing resolutions continued up to December 1971, and every time USSR was conspicuous by its absence.
On the other hand the USA took active part in deliberations and also mustered support from member countries in favour of the resolutions. Shockingly, nobody has ever made a mention of the ‘dubious’ role played by the USSR during those crucial years. Was it a failure of New Delhi’s foreign policy or the result of an understanding between the two ‘trusted friends’?
Nehru was severely criticized for taking the Kashmir dispute to UN in 1948. Kashmir experts say Nehru knew the UN would only delay the issue. Today Nehru stands vindicated, but only partially. There is no denying the fact that the UN has failed to settle the dispute. But, according to the resistance camp, the world body has kept the issue alive through its resolutions although an ideological war ensued in early 1990s because of January 5, 1949 resolution which restricts Kashmiri self-determination to joining India or Pakistan. And, the presence of UNMOGIP is a reminder of Kashmir’s disputed legacy.
The failure of the UN in solving the dispute as per its resolutions has been widely debated, especially since December 1996 when UN dropped Kashmir from its agenda. The issue was taken up again when Islamabad registered strong protest amid hectic lobbying for its case.
The statement of former Secretary General, Kofi Anan evoked severe reaction from Islamabad and pro-resistance camp here. He said UN had no role to play in Kashmir resolution unless a joint request from India and Pakistan was made. Noted columnist Sheikh Showkat Husain believes Anan knew his limitations. However, according to him, the resolutions are important because the world community accepted and ratified the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu Kashmir.
Nehru’s plan failed with the appointment of UNMOGIP. The USSR could have blocked this at least but it abstained, most probably at Nehru’s request. Whom should be blame for this? Nehru, USSR or both?
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