Foreign diplomats from 15 countries observed the local elections in India’s Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in the region’s democratic process. This was the first time diplomats were invited to witness voting in the region, following India’s decision to revoke the region’s partial autonomy five years ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government highlighted this as a historic vote, the first in a decade, and an important step toward normalcy in the region.
Diplomatic Delegation Visits Kashmir
A high-level delegation of diplomats from the United States, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, and other nations, including Guyana, Singapore, and South Africa, visited polling stations in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley. Many embassies were represented by senior officials such as their Chargé d’Affaires or Deputy Chiefs of Mission, while others sent high-ranking political officers. This visit followed previous diplomatic trips to Jammu and Kashmir, including a G20 tourism meeting last year.
The diplomats expressed positive views of the election process. Jorgan K Andrews, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, praised the smooth and professional conduct of the elections, noting, “It is a rare opportunity to come to Kashmir and see the electoral process in action and see democracy.”
A New Chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s History
Over 9 million voters were eligible to participate in the three-phase election to choose members of the 90-seat legislature. This marked the first legislative election since 2014 and the first since the revocation of the region’s special status in 2019. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has stated that the removal of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status has helped restore stability and foster development in the region.
Despite past concerns over voter turnout in Kashmir, the territory recorded its highest participation in 35 years during national elections earlier this year, with a 58.46% turnout. This demonstrated growing engagement in the democratic process, a trend New Delhi hopes will continue.
Moving Forward with Development and Democracy
Prime Minister Modi’s government has emphasised the positive impact of its decisions in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has claimed that the removal of the region’s special status has boosted development, improved governance, and restored normalcy after decades of conflict. The invitation of foreign diplomats to observe the election reflects India’s confidence in its approach to fostering democracy in the region.
The ongoing elections are seen as a crucial step toward integrating Jammu and Kashmir into India’s democratic fabric. The diplomats’ visit is part of broader efforts to demonstrate the region’s stability and democratic evolution to the world.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
