At the time of partition, over 550 states were given the choice to join either Pakistan or India Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III of Junaghrah was in favor of joining Pakistan, and on 9 November 1947, he had announced accession with Pakistan with the approval of the Junagadh state council. India illegally occupied the state thereafter and carried out a so-called referendum in Junagadh state and desired results were achieved on the strength of the Indian Army. The occupation of Junagadh by India violated Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on Law of Treaties and the state should be merged with Pakistan.
On August 5, 2020, Pakistan had approved and released a new political map of Pakistan, which includes territories of Jammu and Kashmir and a part of Ladakh. The map also included Junagadh, Manavadar and Sir Creek in Indian Gujarat as part of Pakistan. Pakistan has a rightful claim on Junagarh
Pakistan’s claim has legal standing in the eye of international law and the UN must act accordingly to ensure the protection of Muslim citizens of the state and peaceful resolution of this long-standing territorial disputes between two states. UN’s 27th report on terrorism identifies India as a source of terrorism within its own boundaries.
Meanwhile, Pakistan must continue diplomatic efforts to keep highlighting this on a global level and to remain hopeful with diplomatic efforts to resolve this old dispute by UN intervention in favor of Pakistan.
To prove that the Junagarh state is a part of Pakistan, the accession document is important because it is strong and lawful evidence. The instrument of accession is an international agreement, concluded between states, in written form, governed by international law, in a single instrument. The issue of Junagarh would remain alive legally as long as the instrument of accession was intact.
