India should lose no sleep over Pakistan’s objection to the UN over the proposed geospatial information regulation bill, which will seek to make it mandatory for anyone offering maps online to get a licence from the government. Pakistan has taken umbrage over India’s depiction of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of India. But this has been India’s position for long and Pakistan’s objections should have no bearing on the country’s right “to have its own maps and regulations”. Also, Pakistan’s paranoia over Kashmir holds little meaning 69 years after Independence as the status quo prevails.
The proposed bill will help stop blatant misrepresentation of the Kashmir issue by many, including UK, the colonial power behind Partition. While they may take any side on the geopolitical issue, they would still have to respect India’s sentiments when they wish to deal with this country, and more so when doing business with India. For instance, if Google Maps is told to fall in line with the new law when it comes into force, it would have to do so or risk falling afoul of the law. India is not China in terms of controlling all media on the Internet, but the least it expects is respect for its historical position on J&K.
The world knows all the developments in China-occupied Kashmir as well as PoK and that India physically controls a shade under half of J&K’s original 222,236 sq. km. This will not change. Each country draws its own conclusions on disputed territories. Pakistan is never going to stop hankering after the Valley. India should go ahead with its geospatial bill plans and tell Pakistan to take a walk.
