The Baloch insurgency against Pakistan is propelled by multiple factions with diverse objectives and strategies, however all are united in their aspiration for increased autonomy or independence for Balochistan. The collaboration among these groups, along with separatist factions in adjacent Afghanistan and Iran, illustrates the wider regional backdrop of opposition to official authority. The insurgents’ coalitions are primarily tactical, founded on mutual interests like autonomy and the exploitation of Balochistan’s resources; yet, they encounter significant obstacles in realizing their objectives due to the military strength of the Pakistani state and the intricate geopolitics of the province.
The populace of Balochistan has never quite acquiesced to their incorporation into Pakistan due to the historical circumstances surrounding their accession, their unique ethnic and cultural identity, and the perceived exploitation and marginalization by the central government. The absence of political autonomy, economic advancement, and the enforcement of military dominance in the region have exacerbated the complaints of the Baloch populace. These conditions have fostered a persistent sense of alienation and opposition, becoming the issue of Balochistan’s status a principal source of political instability and conflict in Pakistan.
The extraction of oil, gas, copper, and gold in Balochistan by China has severely impacted the Baloch population. The economic advantages have been constrained, as the local populace has experienced minimal enhancement in their living conditions despite the substantial money being extracted from their territory. The Baloch have been politically marginalized, with their demands for increased autonomy and resource management disregarded. The militarization of the region to safeguard these initiatives has resulted in heightened human rights violations and oppression. The arrival of external workers and the disruption of traditional Baloch society have exacerbated the alienation of the indigenous populace. The exploitation of Balochistan’s resources has exacerbated existing problems, resulting in increased animosity and resistance among the Baloch populace.
The political situation of Afghanistan, historically and in recent years, has created a conducive atmosphere for Baloch uprisings, supplying support, resources, and strategic advantages that have bolstered the Baloch resistance against Pakistan.
The Pakistan Army’s harsh response to the Baloch insurgency and civilian disturbances has severely damaged the relationship between Balochistan and the national government. The military’s employment of violence, enforced disappearances, and collective punishment has engendered decades of mistrust and animosity, complicating any resolution to the Baloch issue. These occurrences have fueled the persistent insurgency and the Baloch people’s aspirations for enhanced autonomy, fairness, and authority over their territory and resources.
India’s Role
India can significantly emphasize the plight of Balochistan on the world stage by employing diplomatic, media, and advocacy techniques to illuminate the human rights violations and political oppression endured by the Baloch populace under Pakistani governance. Here are some methods by which India can accomplish this effectively:
Diplomatic Channels. India may present the Balochistan problem at international platforms, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations. By addressing the matter in various diplomatic forums, India may highlight the human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial murders, and the repression of political activities in Balochistan. India can collaborate with other nations sympathetic to the Baloch cause to establish a coalition that promotes international examination of Pakistan’s conduct in Balochistan.
ALSO READ: India’s Stakes in Balochistan’s Future
Collaborating with Global Human Rights Organizations. India can collaborate with international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, to record and disseminate information regarding the crimes in Balochistan. These groups can furnish genuine reports and testimonials that would be difficult for Pakistan to refute, hence reinforcing India’s demands for justice. India may also request these groups to dispatch independent observers to Balochistan to evaluate the situation directly.
Media Initiatives. India can endorse international media initiatives and documentaries that highlight the struggles of the Baloch people. By utilizing its media networks and collaborating with global news organizations, India can enhance the visibility of Baloch activists and underscore their challenges in prominent international publications and television channels. Advocating for the narratives of Baloch refugees and survivors might attract international awareness and compassion.
Promoting the Significance of CPEC and Chinese Participation. India might emphasize China’s role in the exploitation of Balochistan’s resources, especially via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). By contextualizing the exploitation of Balochistan’s natural resources within a broader geopolitical framework, India can depict China’s involvement as complicit in Pakistan’s oppression of the Baloch populace. This tactic may attract nations and entities that are apprehensive about China’s expanding influence in international matters.
Advocating for Balochistan’s Right to Self-Determination. India can champion the Baloch people’s right to self-determination in accordance with international law. By emphasizing the Baloch people’s quest for autonomy or independence, India may establish itself as an advocate for the principles of freedom and self-determination within the world community. This may entail assisting Baloch political exiles in their pursuit of worldwide acknowledgment of their cause.
ALSO READ: Is Pakistan on the Brink of Balkanization?
Establishing Alliances with Alternative Dissident Factions. India may endeavor to forge partnerships with other dissenting or opposition factions in Pakistan, such as the Sindhi or Pashtun movements, that possess same grievances against the Pakistani state. A more extensive coalition of marginalized ethnic groups would bolster India’s endeavors to frame Pakistan’s human rights transgressions as a bigger systemic issue, so augmenting the credibility of the Baloch cause internationally.
Involving Diaspora Communities. India can assist Baloch diaspora communities in nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada in orchestrating protests, advocacy initiatives, and lobbying endeavors. These communities can act as significant partners in elevating the international visibility of Balochistan’s struggle.
