APD | Bernie Sanders' remarks on Kashmir

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

Bernie Sanders, a US Senator and the next Presidential candidate from Democratic party, on Saturday termed India's action in Kashmir as "unacceptable."

Sanders further said that he was "deeply concerned" about the situation in Kashmir and wanted the US government to "speak out boldly in support of a UN-backed peaceful resolution to resolve the issue.”

Sanders, who is 77 years old also said that the communications blockade in Kashmir should immediately end.

Speaking in Houston at the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North American, Sanders made the comment. However, since then, various experts have shared their opinion on the issue.

Following the statement, US Army Colonel Lawrence Sellin said that Sanders' statement was motivated by his Pakistani-American campaign manager, Faiz Shakir.

It has also been highlighted that the gathering in Houston was predominantly Muslim.

Sanders later tweeted: "India's action [in Kashmir] is unacceptable and the communications blockade must be lifted immediately, and the US government must be speak out boldly in support of international humanitarian live and in support of a UN backed peaceful resolution."

Responding, Colonel Sellin, a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq war, tweeted, "Bernie Sanders couldn't find Kashmir on a map if it was colored with a bright blue Crayon. That statement was likely influenced by his Pakistani campaign manager and Muslim activist, Faiz Shakir, who may be aggressively promoting pro-Pakistani positions."

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)