Noting that India has received the “fullest” support from America on Kashmir, Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Harsh Vardhan Shringla said New Delhi is happy that the Trump administration has taken a “very understanding view” on the issue.
Mr. Shringla made the remarks during a programme to celebrate Diwali at his residence on Friday.
The event was attended by eminent Indian-Americans, several senior members of the Trump administration and members of the diplomatic corps.
“We are happy that we have that understanding and support from our friends in the U.S. administration”, Mr. Shringla said.
“This is the new paradigm, which has never been attempted before...I must say that we have received the fullest support from our friends and particularly from the United States”, Mr. Shringla said on India’s move to revoke the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
It is an internal matter and something that is intended to bring about change for the better, he said, adding that it will contribute not only to the economic prosperity but also to security in the region. The U.S. administration has taken a very understanding view of the issue, he said.
The U.S. had last month said the onus for Indo-Pak peace talks lies on Islamabad’s move to take sustained and irreversible action against terrorist groups.
Reacting sharply to India’s move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir to bring it in line with the rest of the country, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian envoy.
“We also have always enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress. We are very proud of the fact that our relationship is based on bipartisan support”, Mr. Shringla said as he referred to the presence of House Majority leader Steny Hoyer, who represented the Democratic Party during the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event in Houston in September.
More than 50,000 Indian-Americans attended the mega event jointly addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Mr. Shringla also referred to the presence of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at an event in the U.S. Library of Congress to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
“We would like to preserve that bipartisan spirit. We would like to see all members of Congress understand and appreciate the compulsions under which we are operating, appreciate the efforts of the government to bring about a positive change in Jammu and Kashmir and to understand that the changes that have been brought about enjoy the support of the people of India,” he said.
The envoy hoped that U.S. lawmakers would also understand and reconcile to the fact that these changes are irreversible, these changes are for the better and these changes would be very important as we go along, even with respect to relations between our countries, Mr. Shringla said.
Jammu and Kashmir transitioned into a Union Territory from a State on October 31, in accordance with the government’s announcement withdrawing the State’s special status under Article 370 and bifurcating it into Union Territories.
Referring to the new political map of India with these two Union territories, Mr. Shringla said, “I’m happy to tell you that today, if you look at the map of India for the first time, you see a united and unified map”.
Addressing the Indian-Americans on the occasion, he said, that they, as important representatives of the community, would no doubt carry this message wherever they go.
