Democrat Elizabeth Warren raises concerns over situation in Kashmir
Washington, Oct 6: Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren on Saturday voiced concerns over the restrictions and communication blockade in Kashmir, urging India to respect the rights of the people of Kashmir.
Strict restrictions were imposed in Kashmir after the Indian government on August 5 announced abrogation of Article 370, that provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and to bifurcate the State into two union territories.
"The US-India partnership has always been rooted in our shared democratic values. I'm concerned about recent events in Kashmir, including a continued communications blackout and other restrictions. The rights of the people of Kashmir must be respected," Warren, 70, said in a tweet.
The Massachusetts Senator is the second influential American politician to raise concerns over Kashmir. Her statement comes a month after fellow Democrat Bernie Sanders expressed similar concerns.
Addressing the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America in Houston early last month, Sanders said he was "deeply concerned" about the situation in Kashmir and asked the US government to "speak out boldly" in support of a UN-backed peaceful resolution to resolve the issue.
"I am deeply concerned about the situation in Kashmir...India's action is unacceptable," he said while addressing one of the largest Muslim gatherings in the US.
In an opinion piece in Houston Chronicle, Sanders wrote on September 22 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump's joint address at the "Howdy, Modi" event was happening at a time when Kashmir remained under lockdown.
"When President (Donald) Trump meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston, we will hear much about the friendship between the American and Indian peoples. However, there will be a deafening silence when it comes to a human rights crisis unfolding right before our eyes - and that is unacceptable," he said.
India has categorically rejected any scope for third party mediation on Kashmir, saying it was a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, a position that has been backed by President Trump who had recently offered to mediate.
Some restrictions have been relaxed, but mobile and internet communications in the Kashmir Valley are largely still blocked.
Defending the restrictions, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said in an interview last month: "It wasn't possible to stop communications between militants without impacting all of Kashmir. How do I cut off communication between the terrorists and their masters on the one hand, but keep the Internet open for other people? I would be delighted to know."
Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after New Delhi abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
Pakistan has been trying to raise the issue at various international fora, but India has maintained that it is an internal matter and has asked Islamabad to accept the reality.
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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
