New Delhi: The only issue of dispute between India and Pakistan as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned is the illegal occupation of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan by Pakistan, the government on Thursday said.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated India’s demand that Pakistan should vacate illegal occupation of these areas.
Singh’s sharp remarks came in response to Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit favouring resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the “aspirations of Kashmiris”.
Basit was speaking at an event at the High Commission here today to mark Pakistan’s national day. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Singh said “Today if there is any issue between India and Pakistan on J&K, it is only the illegal occupation by Pakistan, whether it is Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) or Gilgit-Baltistan”. He also added, “How it can be freed from Pakistan’s occupation and made a part of the Indian republic…that is the only issue now”. Singh said India’s position has been clear for many years now and in 1994, a resolution (on the issue) was also passed in Parliament which all political parties had supported.
An External Affairs Ministry asserted that Pakistan would be well-advised to effectively address the challenge of terrorism emanating from that country, which has adversely affected its relations with other countries.
“We have seen media reports about the Pakistan High Commissioner’s remarks today regarding the Indian state of J&K. They are not in keeping with diplomatic niceties and are tantamount to interference in our internal affairs.
“Pakistan would be well-advised to effectively address the challenge of terrorism emanating from that country, which has adversely affected peace and stability in the entire neighbourhood as well as Pakistan’s relations with other countries,” MEA Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.
Earlier, Pakistan on Thursday asserted that the Jammu and Kashmir issue must be resolved as per the “aspirations of Kashmiris”, saying it can be suppressed but not quelled.
Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit in his Pakistan Day speech at the Embassy also said that Islamabad wants to have a good and peaceful relationship with New Delhi and resolve all issues.
“Our policy is to promote peace, especially in Asia, where we have tried to have better ties with all our neighbours. These ties must be based on equal footing and loyalty and our efforts have been in that direction,” he said.
“As far as the Jammu and Kashmir issue is concerned, it should be resolved as per the aspirations of Kashmiris and hopefully it will be.
Kashmir has remained a long-standing unresolved issue between the countries causing acrimony on both sides.
Basit went to say that the aspirations of people “can be suppressed but not quelled (‘Tarikh Gawah Hay Ki Azadi Ki Tehrik Huyin Hhain Unko Waqti Taur Pe Dabaya Ja Sakta Lekin…Khatam Nahin Kiya Ja Sakta’)”.
“And, I hope the struggle of the Kashmiris will, God willing, prove successful (‘Jo Jaddo Jehat Kashmiri Kar Rahen Hayn, Wo Inshallah Kamyab Ho’),” he said, but did not elaborate.
When later asked as to what he meant by “aspirations”, Basit just said, “Whatever people of the Valley want, we should go by that.”
The Pakistan envoy also asserted that the aspirations of people “can be suppressed but not quelled and I hope the struggle of the Kashmiris will prove successful”.