US Crosses India's 'Red Line' Once Again by its Outreach to Kashmiri Activists

The US Embassy in India has drawn widespread backlash over its invitation to Kashmiri activists opposed to New Delhi's decision to abrogate Article 370 to an Iftar party in New Delhi this week.

Nadeem Yousef, an advocate who attended the US Embassy reception, posted pictures with American Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on his social media account on Wednesday.

Yousef is known to be a supporter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who has said that he would not contest the election that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government restores the constitutional provision which afforded a semi-autonomous status to the erstwhile state.

Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, another person invited to the US Embassy dinner, was one of petitioners challenging the abrogation of Article 370 in India's apex Supreme Court last year.

However, the American mission's outreach to the Kashmiri activists hasn't gone down well with many Indians, including members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Significantly, the development has surfaced on the heels of New Delhi's stern rebuke of the Biden administration after the US State Department said that it was closely monitoring the cases of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of some of the bank accounts of the Congress Party.

US Crossing India's Red Line Could End Up Setting an Unhealthy Precedent, Says BJP

Ranbir Singh Pathania, a former Jammu and Kashmir legislator and a BJP spokesman, told Sputnik India that the US has crossed India's red line once again.

"If we go by the statements of people who were part of Iftaar party, US again has crossed the Lakshmana Rekha (red line)," Pathania remarked.

Citing statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Pathania said that such consistent interference in India's internal matters could end up setting an "unhealthy precedent".

Lieutenant Colonel (retired) JS Sodhi, an Indian Army veteran and a strategic affairs expert, told Sputnik India that US decision should be viewed as a matter of "grave concern".

"Media reports indicating that the US Embassy in India invited some Kashmiri activists... who are linked to the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A is a matter of grave concern. Administrative decisions such as abrogation of these constitutional provisions are the sole prerogative of the Indian government. By inviting such people for their Iftar party, the US Embassy is clearly trying to meddle in India's internal affairs," Sodhi stated.

Criticising US State Department's comments on Kejriwal and Congress Party, Sodhi remarked that India had "never issued any statement on the legal cases against ex-President Donald Trump or the probe into Hunter Biden's business dealings"

"No country has the moral right to pass statements or interfere in anything happening on Indian soil. There is a legitimate government in place working well within the parameters of the Constitution. By indulging in these activities, foreign countries send across a wrong message. They should restrain themselves and refrain from indulging in such actions," the Indian Army veteran urged.

'Iftar Invitation to Kashmiri Activists Part of US' Larger Gameplan'

Dr Anant Bhagwat, the chair of national security think tank Global Strategic Policy Foundation Pune (GSPFP), told Sputnik that the Biden administration would continue to poke India in one way or the other, as highlighted by recent events.

Bhagwat reiterated his concerns that US wasn't in favour of a strong mandate for Prime Minister Modi in the upcoming election, in spite of his popularity among Indian voters.

"The US has always tried to meddle in the Kashmir issue despite India repeatedly underlining that it is an internal matter. Last year, we saw how American Ambassador to Pakistan visited the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pakistan-administered Kashmir), drawing an official protest from New Delhi," the Indian think tanker highlighted.

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