Rajnath Singh Says India Will Now Discuss PoK With Pakistan, Reiterates 'Terror and Talks Can't Go Together'
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday stated that even Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledges what India did in Balakot through airstrikes. The Union Minister even opined that if talks are held on Kashmir with Pakistan, it would not be on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
Chandigarh, August 18: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday stated that even Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledges what India did in Balakot through airstrikes. The Union Minister even opined that if talks are held on Kashmir with Pakistan, it would not be on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
Singh expressed his opinion on the recent development, where Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi opined that they are ready to give India a befitting reply if something like Balakot takes place. The Defence Minister said, as quoted by news agency ANI, "Few days ago, prime minister of Pakistan said that India is planning to take an action bigger than Balakot. It means that Pakistan PM acknowledges what India did in Balakot." Syed Akbaruddin, India's UN Envoy, Extends 'The Hand of Friendship' to Pakistani Journalists Post-UNSC Closed-Door Meeting on Kashmir, Watch Video
Speaking on the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan reaching UNSC, Singh added, "Article 370 was abrogated in J&K for its development. Our neighbour is knocking doors of the international community saying India made a mistake. Talks with Pakistan will be held only if it stops supporting terror. If talks are held with Pakistan it will now be on PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir)."
Earlier on Saturday, while addressing a press conference at United Nation, Indian envoy Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin extended 'the hand of friendship' to three Pakistani journalists. He even made it clear on India's stand on talks with Pakistan and said, "Stop terror to start talks."
Here's the Video:
The five permanent members - USA, United Kingdom, France, China and Russia - sat on Friday night to discuss the New Delhi's move to end special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Following the meeting, the members requested both the neighbours to solve the Kashmir through bilateral dialogues. While, India has maintained that its position was and remains that matters related to Kashmir are 'entirely an internal matter'.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2019 01:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).