New Delhi has strongly condemned Pakistan's move to hold assembly elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region India claims as its own. India insists Pakistan must 'vacate' the territory, framing the election announcement as an attempt to "# INDIA CRIES FOUL OVER GILGIT-BALTISTAN ELECTION PLANS
New Delhi has strongly condemned Pakistan's move to hold assembly elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region India claims as its own. India insists Pakistan must 'vacate' the territory, framing the election announcement as an attempt to "illegally" alter the status of the region. This escalating rhetoric underscores the deep-seated and unresolved territorial disputes between the two South Asian neighbours.
India's Stance
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has stated that "elections in a part of territory occupied by Pakistan are not relevant." The core of India's argument rests on its historical claim to the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir, which includes Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan's administration of the area is viewed by India as a continuation of an "illegal occupation." The announcement of elections is seen as a deliberate provocation, intended to legitimize Pakistan's control over a territory that India considers an inalienable part of its own. This latest diplomatic sparring reflects a pattern of contentious relations, particularly concerning the disputed Kashmir region.
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Pakistan's Position
While official statements from Pakistan regarding the specific election plans in Gilgit-Baltistan are not detailed in the provided material, the context suggests Pakistan views the region as under its administrative control. Pakistan's historical narrative and its handling of the region imply a different perspective on sovereignty and governance. The country has faced fiscal challenges including a high fiscal deficit and public debt, making infrastructure development and industrial sectors like manufacturing, construction, and mining crucial for its economic growth. The political landscape has seen shifts, with parties like the PML-N playing a significant role.
Broader Context: Geopolitics and History
Gilgit-Baltistan, a strategically vital area, has been a flashpoint for decades. Situated at the western edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Pakistan itself was formed after the partition of British India. The region is known for its dramatic topography, including the towering K2, Earth's second-highest mountain. It also controls crucial mountain passes like the Khyber Pass and the Bolan Pass, historical conduits between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. India's foreign policy has long been shaped by its relationship with Pakistan and the unresolved Kashmir issue. The tension over Gilgit-Baltistan is a symptom of this larger, complex geopolitical reality.
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