Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has challenged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s assertion that India will reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Abdullah’s remarks not only questioned the government’s intent and ability to retrieve PoK but also highlighted the missed opportunities during the Kargil War. Moreover, he emphasized the need to address Chinese-occupied territories in Ladakh, such as the Shaksgam Valley, which remain largely overlooked in the national discourse.
In the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Abdullah reacted strongly to Jaishankar’s statement, asking who is stopping the government from reclaiming PoK. He pointed out that India had a prime opportunity to retrieve PoK during the Kargil War but failed to act. Abdullah also underscored that China occupies parts of Jammu and Kashmir, specifically in Ladakh, and questioned why this aspect is not addressed. The Indian government has consistently maintained that all of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India.
Pakistan currently occupies approximately 78,000 sq km of Indian territory, while China occupies about 38,000 sq km in Ladakh. The division of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in 2019 was criticized by Abdullah, who noted that people in Kargil and some in Ladakh now regret the decision. This division has been a contentious issue, with many arguing it has led to governance challenges and policy paralysis.
