Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that India is ready to accept Pakistan and start dialogue with it. However, he said there is a condition for this. The condition is that the neighboring country first gives an assurance that it will stop promoting terrorism on Indian soil.
Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh accused Congress, National Conference and People’s Democratic Party of acting as Pakistan’s proxies. He said BJP will not allow anyone in Jammu and Kashmir to push Islamabad’s nefarious agenda. Rajnath Singh has also criticized Pakistan’s Defense Minister over his statement on Article 370.
Addressing election rallies in Kotranka and Sundarbani, Rajnath Singh said that Hindu-Muslim unity is essential for the progress of the country. They came to Jammu and Kashmir to campaign for BJP candidate Chaudhary Zulfikar Ali from Budhal assembly constituency and Thakur Randhir Singh from Kalakot-Sunderbani.
Terrorism and talks cannot go together
He said, ‘They (JKNC and PDP) are advocating dialogue with Pakistan. A country which is supporting and promoting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand, but if Pakistan gives an assurance that it will stop promoting terrorism on Indian soil, we are ready to accept it and start talks.
The defense minister said that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has claimed thousands of lives in Jammu and Kashmir, with 80 percent of the victims being Muslims. He referred to the alleged remarks of Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, in which he said that his country and the JKNC-Congress alliance shared a common stance on the restoration of Article 370 of the Constitution.
Pakistan’s defense minister’s statement hit back
On this, Rajnath Singh said that Pakistan, which is struggling with poverty, is interfering in India’s internal affairs. He said that the brazen statement of the Pakistani leader was tantamount to interference in India’s internal affairs. Pakistan has become an international brand of poverty and destitution. He is unable to manage his own affairs, but is concerned about India’s internal affairs.
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He said that Pakistan has a habit of going around with begging bowls. It is currently seeking seven billion US dollars in aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is less than the package announced by PM Modi for Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s recent US visit, the Defense Minister accused the Congress leader of maligning India on foreign soil.
No power can restore Article 370
Rajnath Singh said, ‘Congress should be given a proper answer in this election.’ Rajnath Singh said that after the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 in August 2019, the government has got an opportunity to rebuild Jammu and Kashmir. He said, ‘No power can restore Article 370.’
He questioned the election manifestos of JKNC, Congress and PDP. He said that these parties are misleading people on 370 issues. Rajnath Singh said, ‘The Prime Minister has already promised that the status of the state will be restored.’
