![Explore the humanitarian crisis in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and how SAARC and SCO contribute to crisis diplomacy in South Asia. [Wikimedia Commons]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Activists_demanding_an_end_to_human_rights_violations_in_Kashmir_during_a_protest_in_central_London-scaled.webp)
For over seventy years, the tragic conflict in Jammu and Kashmir has ensnared its people. Cries for justice and humanitarian relief echo in the shadows of geopolitical strife, highlighting the urgent need to activate crisis diplomacy. This conflict initially started as a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan after the partition of British India in 1947. Since then, it has resulted in the death and suffering of tens of thousands. Numerous reports document extrajudicial killings, displacements, and the sexual violence that countless perpetrators inflict on women and children. The world has declared the Indian-Occupied region of Jammu and Kashmir the biggest open-air prison.
The Humanitarian Crisis in the Indian Occupied Kashmir: A Closer Look
The humanitarian crisis worsens as indigenous people face severe shortages of essential resources, restricted access to the internet and education, and a constant threat of violence. These conditions have worsened significantly since the Indian government’s move in 2019 to revoke the region’s special status.
Even though the gravity of the situation demands immediate attention from regional organisations and emerging powers, the main actors at the regional diplomacy front, namely the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), have played a trivial role.
Considering their role and influence in the political and security landscape of the South Asian region, these two organizations should have played a more prominent role in delivering humanitarian assistance and curbing ongoing conflicts. They could have achieved this through effective crisis diplomacy. However, geopolitical rivalries and internal dynamics have compromised their roles. These factors have extensively thwarted their capacity to address this dire humanitarian crisis.
The Role of SAARC
SAARC, established in 1985 to promote social and economic development in South Asia, has consistently struggled to fulfil its mission. Its foundational policy of non-interference in member states’ political disputes has stymied its ability to address critical humanitarian issues. The case of Jammu and Kashmir starkly illustrates SAARC’s silence on the grave human rights violations in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, undermining its credibility.
While SAARC has seen successes in various initiatives, such as the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) and disaster management efforts, the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have repeatedly hindered its activities.
For instance, following the Uri attack in 2016, India withdrew from the SAARC summit in Islamabad, a move that prompted several other countries, including Bangladesh and Afghanistan, to follow suit citing security concerns.
SAARC at a Crossroads: The Impact of Inaction on Regional Diplomacy
The past decade has been marked by a lack of engagement; the last SAARC summit occurred in 2014. The notion that an international organisation can become “legally dead” if inactive for ten years, as suggested by Mette Eilstrup-Sangiovanni of the University of Cambridge, looms over SAARC’s future as SAARC approaches at a critical juncture with ten years in 2024 without a Summit. The failure to tackle the Kashmir crisis represents a significant missed opportunity for SAARC to assert its influence in the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic briefly revived discussions, yet did not lead to meaningful action or an official summit. In recent months, Pakistan has expressed a renewed commitment to dialogue. This commitment is evidenced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s reaffirmation of Pakistan’s dedication to SAARC during a meeting with its Secretary-General, Golam Sarwar, in May 2024. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Summit Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in India in 2023. His participation signals a willingness to engage.
However, India’s response remains tepid. Its foreign policy is increasingly leaning toward closer ties with the United States. Additionally, India is forming regional alliances that exclude Pakistan. These alliances include the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Initiative (BBIN), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Also See: Five Years On: The Realities of Kashmir Post-Article 370
The Role of SCO
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in 2001 to promote regional security, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation. However, it has failed to adequately address the humanitarian dimensions of conflicts affecting its member states. Like SAARC, the SCO’s policies of non-interference hinder its ability to take action. Additionally, its consensus-based decision-making process limits its effectiveness in geopolitically sensitive situations, such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Although the SCO has facilitated dialogue between India and Pakistan regarding this issue, it has not succeeded in fostering a meaningful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
India’s interest in the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to leverage against Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir raises concerns. Critics argue that the SCO prioritises state security over human security, often overlooking the everyday struggles of Kashmiri civilians. These civilians face severe economic hardships, restricted civil liberties, and human rights abuses, as detailed in reports by organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
The geopolitical priorities of key member states further overshadow humanitarian considerations, particularly the reluctance of Russia and China to engage in the Kashmir conflict due to their own strategic interests and alliances in the region.
A Call to Action for Regional Advocacy
As the SCO Head of State meeting convenes in Pakistan on October 15 and 16, 2024, it provides a timely opportunity for member states. They can address not only regional security issues but also the pressing humanitarian concerns in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The international community is watching closely. They want to see if this summit can shift the focus from purely geopolitical discussions to a more humanitarian-oriented approach. This approach would emphasize the need for immediate actions to alleviate the suffering of the Kashmiri people through crisis diplomacy.
There is a pressing need for a shift in focus for both the SCO and SAARC to shape the path forward. While regional security is undoubtedly important, longstanding humanitarian crises cannot be relegated to a secondary issue. To effectively navigate the complexities of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, both organisations must adopt a more proactive role in crisis diplomacy.
The Need for Humanitarian Focus in SAARC and SCO
SAARC must overcome the hindrance posed by the India-Pakistan rivalry. It should prioritize creating pathways that address humanitarian crises, even if such actions require intervention without the political consensus of member states. For instance, initiatives similar to the SAARC Disaster Management Centre could be adapted to provide humanitarian assistance in Kashmir. The SAARC Disaster Management Centre enhanced regional disaster response following the 2004 tsunami.
Conversely, the SCO should expand its efforts beyond economic cooperation, military collaboration, and intelligence sharing. It must address security and counterterrorism initiatives without biases. The presence of influential regional powers, like Russia and China, within the SCO could be leveraged. This leverage could facilitate humanitarian access to Jammu and Kashmir. By doing so, these powers could create grounds for diplomatic negotiations that prioritise the well-being of the indigenous communities. This entire humanitarian upheaval necessitates immediate action from both regional organisations and the international community through crisis diplomacy.
For the SCO and SAARC to remain relevant and maintain their influence in the region, they must focus not only on geopolitical alliances but also on saving human lives and working toward a peaceful resolution for Kashmir.
The international community and the United Nations must also recognize the gravity of the situation and actively engage in humanitarian efforts. The people of Kashmir have endured suffering for far too long; the fragile efforts of regional organisations to maintain peace built solely on security concerns do not offer a sustainable alternative. Instead, they perpetuate a vicious cycle of violence, deprivation, and neglect.
Crisis Diplomacy: Essential Steps for a Sustainable Resolution in Kashmir
To achieve a sustainable resolution for the Jammu and Kashmir conflict, it is essential to prioritize economic stability, human rights, social development, and the well-being of the people. Regional powers must fulfill their duty to ensure that geopolitical and security alliances, rivalries, and agendas do not overshadow humanitarian concerns. Addressing human development issues in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir could significantly alleviate tensions in the region. Sustainable development initiatives should focus on education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. These initiatives could empower the local population and foster a more peaceful coexistence.
In conclusion, the SCO Head of State meeting is ongoing in Pakistan. There is an urgent call for a holistic approach that integrates security with humanitarian needs. This integration is essential for lasting peace in the region known as the biggest open-air prison: Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The international community must advocate for a framework that addresses both the political complexities and the humanitarian crises facing the Kashmiri people. Decision-makers must prioritize their voices and needs in the dialogue for peace, regional cooperation, and prosperity.
As the world watches, the time for decisive action is now. Only through compassion and collaboration can we hope to bring lasting peace to the beautiful yet beleaguered region of Jammu and Kashmir through effective crisis diplomacy.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the South Asia Times.
Ayesha Arshad is a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in International Relations at the National Defence University Islamabad. She currently works as a researcher at the Kashmir Institute for International Relations, a non-profit think tank. Previously, she was associated with the Islamabad Institute for Strategic Studies, where she focused on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at the Pak-China Study Centre.
Ayesha holds three certifications in Global Diplomacy from the University of London, a Politics certificate from Yale University, and a Global History certificate from the University of Virginia.
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