India's Geospatial bill is giving Pakistan some 'serious concern'

Neighbouring country Pakistan has expressed "serious concern" over India's Geospatial Information Regulation, which was released earlier this month, and would require companies to apply for a license for satellite mapping in India.

An official release from Pakistan's foreign affairs ministry has said that they have sent letters to the United Nations Secretary General and the President of the UN Security Council, while expressing "serious concerns" over the efforts of Indian government to introduce the Geospatial bill in the Indian parliament.

"In violation of UNSC resolutions, the official map of India has been depicting the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India which is factually incorrect and legally untenable. Through the passage of this Bill, the Indian government would penalize the individuals and organizations who depict Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions," the release said.

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The ministry has now asked the UN to "uphold the UNSC resolutions and urge India to stop such acts which are in violation of international law."

"We have urged the international community and the United Nations to fulfill their commitment with the people of Jammu and Kashmir by holding an independent and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices." it added.

The controversial bill, Geospatial Information Regulation Bill, says that anyone willing to map India by a satellite or aerial platform will require a licence from government’s "security vetting authority," failing which one could land in jail for seven years along with a hefty fine of up to Rs 1 crore.

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