‘Who doesn’t want good relations with neighbours but…’, Rajnath Singh’s blunt reply to Pakistan on Kashmir

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday reached Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir for election campaign. He attacked Pakistan on the issue of terrorism and said that India will never tolerate terrorism. He said that if Pakistan curbs terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, then India is ready to talk with it.

Rajnath Singh said this at an election rally in Ramban district, where he had come to campaign for BJP candidate Mohammad Salim Bhat. He said that the purpose of repealing Article 370 of the Constitution was to end the suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and make the region prosperous.

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Pakistan must first stop terrorism.

Rajnath Singh said, “We will not accept terrorist activities under any circumstances. Some people talk about talks with Pakistan. I say Pakistan should do one thing, stop resorting to terrorism. Who would not want better relations with our neighbouring countries? We want to build better relations, but first they should stop terrorism. After that we will talk…”

The Defence Minister said, “Pakistan should do one thing, that is to stop supporting terrorism. Who would not want better relations with neighbouring countries? But first they have to stop terrorism.” He said that India will start talks with Pakistan only when it stops sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajnath Singh said that 85 percent of the victims of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir were Muslims. He said, “Terrorist incidents have become common in Kashmir. Did Hindu people get killed in these terrorist incidents? I have been the Home Minister and I know that most of the people who lost their lives in terrorist incidents are Muslims.”

… then people of POK will also say that they want to go to India!

Rajnath Singh invited the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) to join India. He said, “We consider you as our own, while Pakistan considers you as foreigners.” He said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has changed drastically.

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He said, “Support BJP so that we can bring about extensive development in this region. People in PoK should see this and say that we do not want to live with Pakistan and want to go to India.”