Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that India is ready to embrace Pakistan and start talks with it. However, he said that there is a condition for this. The condition is that the neighbouring country first gives a guarantee that it will stop promoting terrorism on Indian soil.
During this, Rajnath Singh accused the Congress, National Conference and People's Democratic Party of working as Pakistan's proxy. He said that BJP will not allow anyone to carry out Islamabad's nefarious agenda in Jammu and Kashmir. Rajnath Singh also targeted Pakistan's Defense Minister over his statement on Article 370.
Rajnath Singh, while addressing election rallies in Kotranka and Sunderbani, said that Hindu-Muslim unity is necessary for the progress of the country. He had come to Jammu and Kashmir to campaign for BJP candidate Chaudhary Zulfiqar Ali from Budhal assembly constituency and Thakur Randhir Singh from Kalakot-Sunderbani.
At the same time, he said, 'They (JKNC and PDP) are advocating talks with Pakistan. A country which is supporting and promoting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorism and talks cannot go together, but if Pakistan guarantees that it will stop promoting terrorism on Indian soil, then we are ready to accept it and start talks.'
The Defence Minister said that 80 per cent of the victims of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir who have lost their lives are Muslims. He referred to the alleged remarks of Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in which he said that his country and the JKNC-Congress alliance have the same stand on the restoration of Article 370 of the Constitution.
On this, Rajnath Singh said that poverty-stricken Pakistan is interfering in India's internal affairs. He said that the shameless statement of the Pakistani leader is tantamount to interference in India's internal affairs. Pakistan has become an international brand of poverty and penury. It is unable to handle its own affairs, but is worried about India's internal affairs.
He said that Pakistan has a habit of roaming around with a begging bowl. Currently, it is seeking assistance of seven billion US dollars 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 visit to the US, the Defense Minister accused the Congress leader of defaming India on foreign soil.
Rajnath Singh said, 'Congress should be given a befitting reply in this election.' Rajnath Singh said that after the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 in August 2019, the government has got a chance to rebuild Jammu and Kashmir. He said, 'No force can reinstate Article 370.'
He questioned the election manifestos of JKNC, Congress and PDP. He said that these parties are misleading the people on the 370 issue. Rajnath Singh said, 'The Prime Minister has already promised that the state status will be restored.'
