India welcomes dialogue with Pak on ‘contemporary & relevant’ issues: MEA

Though some opposition leaders at the meeting called for talks to be initiated with all stake holders in Kashmir, including separatists, the prime minister did not make any reference of holding talks with the separatists in his address. India’s prime minister accused Pakistan today of fomenting trouble in the Kashmir valley, claiming there was enough evidence to prove it was fuelling unrest in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired an all party meeting to discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir which had witnessed violent protests following the killing of militant Burhan Wani in which scores of people were killed and injured.

The all-party meeting was convened on a day when the Lok Sabha unanimously passed a resolution appealing for urgent steps to restore peace in the Valley while asserting that there would be no compromise with the country’s integrity and security.

He said that the conference discussed a number of diplomatic initiatives being taken and it was decided that Pakistan should invite India for a dialogue on Kashmir issue.

The Foreign Office has rejected the Indian allegations of infiltration in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) and ruled out the role of any Pakistani involved in terrorism in India.

“Pakistan is herself a victim of terrorism and lost thousands of civilian and military personnel’s lives in war against terrorism” he added by saying that Pakistan was taking action against terrorism.

Giving details of the PM’s views, Singh said there were only few people who were instigating violence.

She welcomed Pakistan for making a statement that it is ready to hold a dialogue with India over Kashmir.

The two senior ministers highlighted the Government’s efforts towards restoration of normalcy which include reaching out to the civil society and speeding up measures to integrate Kashmir’s youth with the state’s economic activities. I have full sympathies with their families.

Speaking on the meeting, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said while addressing a press conference: “All parties put forth their concerns in one voice”.

“Security forces have been asked to act with utmost restraint, and curfew has been relaxed”, he said.

It was also suggested that an all-party delegation should visit Kashmir to assess the situation. Can exposing the pitiable conditions in PoK or the atrocities in Balochistan help assuage the anger of Kashmiris whose dear ones have been killed by bullets or blinded by pellet guns?