JAMMU — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said India is not in favour of talks with Pakistan until terrorism ends, emphasizing that “talks and bombs cannot go together”.
Shah made these remarks while releasing the BJP’s manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir, dismissing any possibility of dialogue with Pakistan amidst the ongoing militants activities.
Shah highlighted the significant reduction in terror-related incidents and stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir over the last 10 years, asserting that Article 370 has become “history” and will never return.
“Talks and bombs cannot go together. We are not open to talks with Pakistan unless terrorism ends. However, we will certainly talk to the youth of Kashmir,” Shah told reporters here.
When asked about the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) pushing for talks with Pakistan and the restoration of cross-LoC trade, Shah responded, Until terrorism ends and the trade-terror ecosystem is dismantled, we cannot agree.
Shah also criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for remaining silent on the manifesto of the National Conference (NC) advocating the restoration of Article 370. — (PTI)