Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan, was a princely state that annexed by force. Home to approximately 13 million people, mostly from Baloch community, Balochistan is the least developed region.
The issue after partition, annexation of NWFP, Balochistan and certain areas into West Pakistan as a single polity was opposed by Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan of NWFP. Baloch nationals who inhabit south-west Pakistan, south-eastern Iran and southern Afghanistan have been demanding greater autonomy and higher share in revenue from natural resources from the governments of Pakistan and Iran.
Recently, the issue of Balochistan conflict attracted much limelight from media after the prime minister of India endorsed the freedom struggle waged by Baloch nationals against Pakistan’s seizure. Later, Prime Minister Modi also reiterated that the concerns of people from Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK against Pakistan’s mayhem will be discussed in the international arena.
India’s Stand
Although India under Nehru, keenly followed Non-alignment policy and Panchasheel since independence, the nation has followed different path in certain circumstances by expressing its concern for other nations and aiding Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal with respect to freedom struggle movement or human rights movement.
India in last few years have tried to shed its image of soft nation as the regular efforts to bring Pakistan on the peace table and solve issues bilaterally have seen only failures. Although Indian government did not react in Balochistan issue back in 2009 when during Shaem El Sheikh joint statement Pakistan was stressing on India to acknowledge its involvement in Balochistan, today’s PM appeal to save Balochistan and support their freedom struggle has seen a great turn in India’s foreign policy for countries, such as Pakistan, sponsoring terrorism
Reasons for India’s Statement
1. To curtail Pakistan’s interest in Kashmir: It has been seen that Pakistan is running a propaganda to defame India on the international platform by claiming that India is exploiting people of Kashmir. To give Pakistan a taste of his own medicine, PM statement to help Baloch people has been a really apt reply to silent Pakistan.
2. To Distract Pakistan from Kashmir: With a view to expose the hypocrisy of Pakistan, India has recently started raising the following issues concerning Balochistan:
• Why the Baloch nationals do not participate in the formation of government?
• Why is there no appointment of them at government posts?
3. Strategic Interest of India in Balochistan: Although it is evident that India is trying to curtail Pakistan’s evil strategies, there also exist some strategic interests of India in Balochistan:
• Geostrategic location of Balochistan
• Untapped mineral resources
• Very close to oil lanes of Persian Gulf
• Common border with Iran and Afghanistan
• Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline
It will prove to be beneficial for India in future if condition in Balochistan normalises as it being a mineral-rich area will pave the way for trade relationships. In addition, the IPI project that has been delayed too much owing to the instability in Balochistan region will also get a boost and help India in reducing its dependence on other countries for oil.
4. To Keep a Check on China: China with its string of pearls strategy is trying to encircle India by developing strong relations with Pakistan and an economic corridor that will span from Pakistan to Balochistan. With a view to increase its influence in the region and make route to import oil and raw materials from Middle East and Africa, China has plans to develop Gwadar port of Balochistan which will facilitate export through land corridor from Gwadar to Sinkiang province of China.
Consequences
If India comes out winner in exposing Pakistan’s atrocities on people of Balochistan on international arena, it will be a major setback for Pakistan as the forces aiding Pakistan to influence Kashmir issue will stop their agenda and Pak-China plans for infrastructure development will be surely affected.
Conclusion
If we scrutinise recent developments regarding India’s stand on Balochistan and PM’s statement, it is still early to say whether a carrot and stick policy is being adopted by India against Pakistan or a major paradigm shift in India’s policy towards Pakistan exists. However, it is evident that India is ready to shed its image of being a soft state by retaliating via diplomatic channels keeping in view the longterm goals.