Balochistan Movement: Why India's Policy Took a Shift Towards Balochistan Under Narendra Modi Government

Abstract

On the occasion of Independence Day speech on 15 August 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of Baluchistan. From the Red Fort, he made reference to the freedom struggle of Balochistan, Gilgit and Baltistan and gross violation of human rights in these provinces of Pakistan. Indirectly, he pointed finger on Pakistan for the atrocities and chaos it created since partition through state policy against its own people in the Province of Balochistan and in Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK). First time in the history of India, Modi exposed the internal troubles of Pakistan and it ongoing resistant movement in the above mentioned provinces. Naturally this move generated anger in Pakistan while seen as positive development by Baloch resistant leaders. Modi’s Baloch strategy can be seen as a shift in India’s Pakistan policy. India is eager to play Balochistan as a card or pressure point against Pakistan which may be game changer in regional politics. It can also isolate Pakistan in international community for its role in violation of human rights and spreading terrorism. Pakistan has been notorious to play the blame game against India on the issue of Kashmir besides continuously supporting terrorism against India. The well prepared strategy on Balochistan under Modi administration can be seen as giving Pakistan a taste of its own medicines by countering Pakistan’s Kashmir policy. This article is an attempt to understand the Baloch conflict in the light of Modi’s policy shift towards Balochistan and further its impact on Balochistan freedom struggle.

Keywords: Baluchistan, Freedom struggle, Regional politics and International community.