Kashmir Black Day: Pakistani consul in Istanbul criticizes India’s regional hegemony

On October 27, Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul, Nauman Aslam, led a commemorative event marking Kashmir Black Day, a date remembered for the beginning of Indian control over Kashmir in 1947. Aslam used the occasion to emphasize the serious and ongoing nature of the Kashmir issue, stressing that this annual observance is held not only in Pakistan but globally to remind the international community of the significance of Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination.

In his address, Aslam explained to Yeni Şafak that the issue of Kashmir is “not a trivial problem” but a long-standing matter involving severe human rights implications. He pointed out that the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination has been systematically denied for more than seven decades. In 2019, India’s government revoked the region’s special status, an action that Aslam asserted was a direct infringement on Kashmir’s autonomy and a violation of United Nations resolutions dedicated to protecting human rights and national sovereignty. “The rights of self-determination of the Kashmiri people have been undermined, have been denied since the last seven decades,” he said, calling the revocation an act “against the freedom and independence of human rights.”

The Istanbul ceremony gathered members of the Turkish community and Pakistan’s diaspora to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Aslam stated that similar events were held worldwide in Pakistani diplomatic missions, focusing on educating and informing the public about Kashmir’s plight and urging international support. “The idea is to spread the message across the world,” he shared, noting the participation of Turkish community members who joined in solidarity, strengthening the message that Kashmir’s struggle is recognized beyond Pakistan’s borders.

In response to questions from Yeni Şafak, Aslam also expressed concerns over India’s broader foreign policies in South Asia. He noted that many countries in the region, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, have experienced rising public opposition to Indian influence, with movements calling for the boycott of Indian products and a reduction of Indian intervention in their internal affairs. Aslam attributed this sentiment to what he described as “Indian hegemony,” which he argued has infringed on these countries’ right to sovereign governance and self-determination.

Aslam cited a recent movement in Bangladesh where the regime was ousted due to public dissatisfaction with India’s role in the country’s internal politics. He highlighted a similar pattern in other countries in the region, where India’s influence often disrupts the independence of foreign and economic policies, causing widespread frustration. “These countries cannot implement their foreign policies, their economic policies...the entire region is suffering,” he explained.

Aslam’s remarks highlighted Pakistan’s call for a balanced power dynamic in South Asia, one that respects the sovereignty and autonomy of each nation. He emphasized the need for countries in the region to conduct their diplomatic and political functions independently, without foreign interference. “This hegemony should be balanced,” Aslam concluded, urging for a South Asia where each country’s political and economic independence is safeguarded against external pressures.