New Delhi: Asserting that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said trying to make it a controversy time and again would not help improve bilateral ties between India and Pakistan.
Naidu said there is no question of India bargaining on the issue of Kashmir.
“You want to discuss, clear your doubts any number of times, one can have discussion and also clear their (Pakistan’s) doubts. But trying to make it a controversy time and again is not going to help to improve the relationship,” Naidu said.
“Terrorism is the enemy of the mankind. It should be curbed. And then, Pakistan also sometimes laments, saying they are also becoming the victims of terrorism. You are encouraging terrorists on one hand, and then, you are lamenting about terrorism on the other hand. So, let Pakistan realize and see that such forces are crushed down in Pakistan,” he added.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said India looks forward to friendly ties with Pakistan and is taking effective steps to achieve the same.
“Pakistan is our neighbour. We are always trying to hope for better relations and we are taking every step. The Prime Minister himself went to Pakistan.he invited the Pakistan Prime Minister to come for the swearing-in-ceremony. Steps are being taken. We have again restarted the dialogue process,” said Naidu.
“In spite of all that, if elements in Pakistan go on doing like this training, abetting and funding terrorism, this is not going to help the situation. Pakistan should give it up once and for all,” he added.
Naidu, however, avoided commenting on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s alleged remark that she is “ashamed as a Muslim”.
“I am happy certain clergies and leaders of the Muslim community in India have condemned it and also given a call. That’s a healthy trend. Every religion should come out openly and condemn these barbaric activities of terrorism,” he told the media here.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister has come under sharp criticism of the National Conference over her “ashamed of bloodshed in name of Islam during Ramzan” remark.
“I am unable to understand how somebody can indulge in such shameful acts of bloodshed in the name of Islam, and that too in the holy month of Ramzan when people seek forgiveness and peace,” Mehbooba said after laying floral wreath on the coffins of the CRPF personnel killed in Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Naidu also condemned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s remark asking to focus on the Iftaar Party that was going on in the Pakistan High Commission rather than the Pampore attack.
“The comment made by the High Commissioner of Pakistan. I thought later he will realize it, but unfortunately he has not done it. The comment that was made let us focus on party that was completely insensitive,” Naidu said.
The Pakistan High Commissioner earlier on Saturday shrugged off the question on the attack, asking to rather focus on the Iftaar Party that was going on in the Pakistan High Commission.
“It’s the month of Ramzaan, let’s focus on this Iftaar party. The issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed issue between India and Pakistan. It’s an issue which needs to be solved. We hope we will sit and discuss on the issue and find a solution. Let’s have the iftaar party and enjoy ourselves,” Basit told the media. (ANI)