Did Trump’s Kashmir Gaffe Push India’s Article 370 Timeline?

The Indian government’s decision to revoke the special status of Kashmir has changed the entire debate surrounding the disputed region. While no one is certain about the implications of the development, the timing of New Delhi’s decision is significant. Did India decide on the issue based on an existing timeline or did something change considerably over the past few weeks that lead to the scrapping of Article 370/35A?

However, this doesn’t mean that the situation is going to remain calm in Pakistan. While President Trump’s statement may have added to India’s decision, the timing couldn’t have been worse for Washington. India’s decision to declare J&K a union territory when the Afghan peace process is finally making progress, is not something which the United States would have wanted. Islamabad should be expected to ensure that the U.S. feels the pressure of India’s decision in Afghanistan.

While it’s unclear what will be the long-term implications of India’s decision, the development is would certainly fuel violence in the region.
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