Kashmir unlikely to feature in PM Modi's UNGA address, focus on climate change, developmental issues

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, scheduled to take place in September, will focus on climate change, developmental issues and is unlikely to feature Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session will be held on September 27 and PM Modi's speech is likely to be held around 7:30 pm whereas Imran khan, who will address hours after that, is expected to dedicate his entire address on Kashmir.

As per sources, keeping the world audience in mind, PM Modi is likely to focus on issues of climate change, development, development through sustainable goals, health issues and others but will not be speaking on J&K since its an internal matter of India.

Ever since India's move to abrogate Article 370, which is an internal matter, a rattled Pakistan is trying to internationalise the issue but there are no listeners at the global community. Nation after nation has said that India and Pakistan issues are bilateral and Article 370 is New Delhi's internal matter.

Meanwhile, a diplomat at UN has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi when speaking at UNGA will keep a global audience in the mind and not mention an internal issue like J&K. Imran Khan can dedicate his entire UN address to J&K but that's not going to lead to any outcome.

Russia was the first nation who said that India and Pakistan should resolve their issues bilaterally. On Wednesday also, while reiterating that Kashmir issue is to be resolved bilaterally by India and Pakistan, Russia said it has "no role" to play in the matter unless both the South Asian countries ask for the mediation.

Moscow said that during a meeting in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), it reiterated that revocation of Article 370 was India's internal matter.

"This is the sovereign decision of the Indian government, it's an internal matter of India. All issues existing between India and Pakistan should be resolved through dialogue on the basis of Shimla agreement & Lahore declaration," said Russian Envoy to India, Nikolay Kudashev, during an event in the capital.

(Inputs from Dnaindia.com)