Editorial 

Keeping in view the regional peace and development as an important pillar of foreign and regional policy of the countries, Turkmenistan took a giant leap forward by hosting the first Caspian Economic Forum in Avaza where high-level delegations led by Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Caspian Region countries including Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan issued joint statements and engaged in meaningful discussions for resolution of their long disputes over Caspian basin.

The aim of the forum was to not only move ahead with the implementation of the joint projects for the promotion of investment opportunities in diverse sectors but also to promote confidence-building measures amongst the regional countries.

Being a country with a clear international position of neutrality, recognized by the UN, Turkmenistan has played its key constructive role in regional peacebuilding and promoting development initiatives. Having rich resources, Turkmenistan has also made a substantial contribution towards regional development especially with the several energy pipelines originating from countries connecting the regional countries into peaceful interdependence.

No doubt, Caspian is at a juncture of global communication. The region though mired with its own economic and political challenges with a strong influence from global powers, however, countries like Turkmenistan can play a constructive role with the steps that can help rebuild confidence amongst countries.

The economic prosperity and connected benefits from the Caspian Sea basin including the emerging pipeline projects have led to progress towards peace and efforts for peaceful coexistence. The future is Caspian for all the states.

While writing these lines, Indian Occupied Kashmir remained under siege since August 5 after the rushed presidential orders stripped Kashmiris of the special autonomy status through repealing of Article 370. This unprecedented move by the BJP government has made South Asian security and stability at risk by putting two nuclear-armed states at the brink of war.

This has not only destroyed the overall regional balance but has also made the world’s peace and security at risk. This has also put other regional peace and dialogue initiatives at risk including Afghanistan.  This act of the Indian government is also a heinous move to change and dilute the demographics of the occupied region.

The international community has realized the urgency of the situation wherein not only media, civil society but also the heads of states are condemning this act of aggression against the right of self-determination of Kashmiri indigenous struggle and movement for ‘Azadi”. Such genuine desires of the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be crushed or sabotaged with a single stroke of the abolition of law.

Linking this pure movement for independence with terrorism is also a senseless and baseless allegation that has been condemned by the international community.  Prime Minister Imran Khan-led incumbent government has left no stone unturned in putting Kashmir first. Currently, the Prime Minister is in the US for the UNGA session where he has called himself as Ambassador of Kashmir and even the visit to the UN has been called out as the “Kashmir Mission”.

The pressure on Modi’s fascist government is mounting with each passing day. On the sidelines of the meetings with the world leaders, Prime Minister has talked about Kashmir and briefed them about the importance of the world to take urgent action to force India to remove the restrictions on Kashmiri people.

There has been a complete blackout and the ugly color of Indian fascist ideology is looming large and shadowing the just movement of the Kashmiri struggle and fight for freedom. Now all eyes are on the meetings and the dialogues that are ongoing at the UNGA and how the world will respond towards the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute the threat of nuclear war is looming large. The world needs to take immediate action and stop this aggression before it’s too late.

The UNGA is having its 74th session ongoing in New York these days with world leaders gathering to make their country’s policy statements and discuss the issues related to their regions and the globe.

Over the years, UNGA has been criticized for being another “talking shop” as UNGA resolutions are not legally binding and they are piling with each passing day. However, as they say, it’s better to talk, dialogue, or stay connected than opting for war and hate.

We as citizens of this world still demand that these important forums should be utilized as much as possible for the just and right solutions to the world’s disputes, conflicts, and issues that the world is facing today. These solutions are mandatory as they might be impacting our future generations and how we live on this planet together.