Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNMOGIP
Mains level: Internationalization of Kashmir Issue
The United Nations (UN) has appointed Rear Admiral Guillermo Pablo Rios of Argentina as the Head of Mission and Chief Military Observer for the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
What is UNMOGIP?
- The first group of UN military observers arrived in the mission area on 24 January of 1949 to supervise the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- These observers, under the command of the Military Adviser appointed by the UN Secretary-General, formed the nucleus of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
Functions of UNMOGIP
- Following renewed hostilities of 1971, UNMOGIP has remained in the area to observe developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire of 17 December 1971 and report thereon to the UN Secretary-General.
- The Karachi Agreement of July 1949 firmed up the role of UN-level military observers and permitted supervision of the Ceasefire Line established in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian contentions with UNMOGIP
- India has not officially gone to the UNMOGIP since 1972 with complaints against Pakistan.
- India officially maintains that the UNMOGIP’s role was “overtaken” by the Simla Agreement of 1972 that established the Line of Control or the LoC.
- This with minor deviations followed the earlier Ceasefire Line.
- Pakistan, however, did not accept the Indian argument and continued to seek cooperation from the UNMOGIP.
- As a result of these divergent policies, Pakistan continues to lodge complaints with the UNMOGIP against alleged Indian ceasefire violations.
Substantiation of India’s stance
- Since the Simla Agreement of 1972, India has adopted a non-recognition policy towards third parties in their bilateral exchanges with Pakistan over the question regarding the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Kashmir and the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism within now is largely an internal matter of India.
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