The government and Opposition appeared to be on the same page at the all-party meeting insofar as the need for extending a healing touch and initiating confidence-building measures with the people in the trouble hit Kashmir Valley were concerned. “But we will not lower the guard against terrorism and anti-India activities”, Modi said.
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Numerous young men who came out onto the streets in the wake of Wani’s death threw stones at security forces, an increasingly common form of protest in India’s only Muslim-majority state.
Home minister Rajnath Singh told the meeting that an all-party delegation to the Kashmir will be considered “after grounds were prepared in consultation with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti”.
Modi’s comments echoed a statement made by home minister Rajnath Singh earlier this week in Parliament when he said that India was willing to discuss only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with Pakistan, and that the question of discussing Jammu and Kashmir with Islamabad just does not arise.
Promising to find a permanent and peaceful solution as per the basic principles of the Constitution, Modi said, “We all are committed to this national sentiment that there can not be any compromise with the country’s regional integrity”.
Modi has clearly stated that the needs and grievances of people from all sections in Jammu and Kashmir will be addressed but not at the cost of Nation’s integrity.
Azad further said the time is not ripe for opening dialogue with Pakistan as the neighbour has engaged in a war of words.
Asked if the mention of Balochistan and PoK signals a shift in policy towards Pakistan, finance minster Jaitley said: “PM said so as a part of the strategy that the world should know about the prevailing situation in PoK”.
While briefing the media, the advisor said that Envoys Conference had deliberated for three days on major foreign policy challenges of Pakistan and to make recommendations which were then presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on August 3.
More than 55 people have been killed in the weeks of demonstrations and clashes between Kashmiri protesters and security forces following the killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani. Instead, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has repeatedly pointed an accusing finger at Pakistan and charged that Islamabad has been fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir. The message, they said, was that the government should keep in mind global developments, such as the rise of the Islamic State and its impact on youth in the Valley, while trying to deal with the situation.
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He said while there can be no compromise on national security, “we have to win the confidence of the people of the Jammu and Kashmir”.
