Continuing with the firm position of the Indian government on Kashmir, defence minister Rajnath Singh today said that any talk with Pakistan will be on Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Just a few days ago, Singh had hinted that India’s no first use doctrine on Nuclear weapon is not permanent when he said that its future will depend on circumstances.
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Addressing a rally in Panchkula in Haryana, Rajnath Singh said, ‘on what matter the talks should take place? Why there should be talks?’ He said that if there are talks with Pakistan, that will happen only after Pakistan stops sponsoring and encouraging terrorism from its territory, till that happens, there is no point talking to Pakistan. And when that talk takes place in future, it will be only on Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Rajnath Singh added that Article 370 was abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir for its development. Our neighbour is knocking doors of the international community saying India made a mistake, he said. Referring to Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s recent comment that India is planning a bigger operation than Balakot, the defence minister said that it means the Pakistan PM has acknowledged what India did in Balakot.
Participating in the debate on Kashmir in Parliament, home minister Amit Shah had said on August 6 that when the government says Jammu and Kashmir, it includes PoK also, reiterating India’s position that portions of Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan and China are part of India. The Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill, which splits the state into two union territories, also stresses that PoK is part of India, and it says J&K UT assembly will have 24 constituencies in PoK, which will remain vacant for the time being.