Govt rejects Pak cabinet decisions on Kashmir

The government yesterday “completely and unequivocally” rejected the decisions adopted by the Pakistani cabinet earlier in the day on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“India completely and unequivocally rejects in entirety the decisions adopted by the cabinet of Pakistan on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a query on the issue.
“We are dismayed at the continued attempts by Pakistan to interfere in our internal matters, where, we reiterate, Pakistan or any other external party has no locus standi,” he said.
“Continued glorification of terrorists belonging to proscribed terrorist organisations makes it amply clear where Pakistan’s sympathies continue to lie.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday chaired a cabinet meeting on the situation in Kashmir arising out of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
Over 35 people have died in largescale violence in Kashmir following the death of Wani, 22, in a gunfight on July 8 along with two of his associates.
In the meeting in Islamabad, top government officials condemned the labelling of Wani as a terrorist by the Indian government.
The government also announced that Pakistan would observe a Black Day over violence in Kashmir on July 19.
Swarup said “the self-serving actions by Pakistan in the last few days to derive political mileage out of the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir follow planned infiltration and terrorism aimed at India from across the Line of Control and the international boundary”.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan should desist from further interfering in India’s internal affairs.
“We also hope that Pakistan will respond constructively to India’s initiatives for peace and normalising the India Pakistan relationship.” he added.
The Congress too condemned Pakistan’s attempt to “intenationalise the sensitive issue of Kashmir” and accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to craft a coherent policy towards the neighbouring country. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Modi government had failed to craft a coherent policy towards Pakistan.
“When was the last time India heard a statement from the UN secretary general on Kashmir? Throughout the 10 years of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government, there was never an attempt to interfere,” said Tewari.
“When was the last time that you heard the US talk about resolving Kashmir through talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri people.”