The mention of Balochistan in PM Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech last year seemed to signal a major shift in India’s Pakistan policy, but precious little has happened in that regard since then. The reference to Balochistan in the speech from Red Fort drew cheers from Baloch nationalists as it raised hopes of active Indian support for their cause. Neither is there any official word on whether an asylum request by leading Baloch nationalist Brahumdagh Bugti has been granted. “I don’t think the Baloch card was going to be played,” said former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan T.C.A. Harsh Pant, a professor of international relations at King’s College London, said Modi’s reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech is evidence enough that Indian policymakers think there “is a Baloch card” to be leveraged.

Source: Mint August 14, 2017 15:45 UTC