The New York-based Batra, the founder of the Law Firm of Ravi Batra, P.C., calls for a bipartisan US congressional fact-finding mission to Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian American attorney Ravi Batra, testified before the House Foreign Affair Committee’s Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation last week, has urged US Congress to send a bi-partisan congressional fact-finding mission to Jammu and Kashmir.
The New York attorney, who serves as a Chair on the National Advisory Council for South Asian Affairs, called for a bipartisan congressional delegation to the region. “I invite you – to schedule a bipartisan Congressional Fact Finding Mission to Kashmir, including, Americans whose ancestry can add an honest nuance – as that will hasten the lifting of all restrictions, other than those based upon credible intel of clear & present danger to India and visitors,” he said in the written testimony.
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Jammu and Kashmir has been in news since August 5, when the Indian government ended certain autonomy in had enjoyed for 72 years and bifurcated it into two federally administered Union Territories. India also imposed a security clampdown and communication blockade, which was criticized by several members of Congress and human rights activists.
In an interview with the American Bazaar, Batra — the founder of the Law Firm of Ravi Batra, P.C., on Lexington Avenue in New York — argues why it is important for India to invite an American delegation to the state.
You have urged for a bi-partisan congressional fact-finding mission to Kashmir. Why did you feel that it was important for American lawmakers to be on the fact-finding mission to Kashmir?
I have been working on the area of Indo-American relations for close to five decades now and I firmly believe that India and America are friends. I would say that we want India to be best-friend with America and, just as there are no secrets between best friends, the two countries should have no secrets. We want the world to be terror-free and, if India wants to do that, we are with India.
What would you say about this week’s European Union (EU) parliamentarians’ fact-finding mission to Kashmir? Do you feel that it was a good move from Indian government to invite them?
While I welcome the move to invite the EU delegation by India, I certainly do think that America should have been the first to be invited and the European Union should have been the second. I feel, India being friends with America, [and] are closest to us… an American delegation should have been the first to go to Kashmir and assess the situation. It is simply like if you have a birthday or an occasion in your home, you tend to invite your closest and best friends first. By that logic, America should have been the first to go to India.
What would you say about certain allegations that the EU fact-finding mission comprises far-right members of European Union parliament? Do you think it says something about the transparency of the findings?
Well, it makes no difference to me if the group is said to be extreme left or extreme right. What we are looking ahead is to see a terror-free world and a terror-free Kashmir. If India is focusing on creating a safe house first, that is all that should matter. Remember one must have a safe house first, before you decorate it. What we are all concerned about here is public safety. Also putting human rights before being publicly safe is like putting a cart before a horse.
But there has been a criticism about a communication black-out in Kashmir. What are your thoughts?
I think we are dealing with eradicating terror here and allowing communication defeats that purpose. Saying that you can beat the terrorists without cutting-off communication or internet is liberal lunacy.
Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat MP from UK, said that his invitation by the Indian government was rescinded when he expressed to speak freely with the locals without being accompanied by army forces. He also said that he wasn’t interested in taking part in a PR stunt for Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What are your thoughts?
Look, when I visit your home, I go to a room you ask me to visit in. I do not intrude into your basement or your storage room. If a person feels that a trip is not worth it, they should not go. The Indian government may be taking a few steps for safety as they are responsible for those they have invited. Public safety is not a concept of no value but it is of maximum value.
How do you view the opening up of the state to a foreign delegation by the Indian government? You feel it will serve any purpose in letting the world know, the situation inside Kashmir?
It is an excellent move. If, within three months the Indian government is able to take this step, then more power to them. The fact is that India is opening the doors to responsible people and it is good. Now, this trip could be first just through a helicopter ride, it could be a ground visit, or just an overnight stay in a hotel in Kashmir to see the situation. It is for India to decide what would be safe for those visiting the region.
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