In the backdrop of heightened protests against the Pakistan government in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar restated India’s firm stance on integrating the illegally occupied region with India.
Speaking at a seminar on Indian Capital Markets ‘Roadmap for Viksit Bharat’ at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai on Monday, Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to eventually ending the illegal occupation of PoJK. He stated, “One day we will end the illegal occupation of the PoK and the PoK will join with India.”
Highlighting the Modi government’s clarity on the matter, Jaishankar underscored that PoJK has always been an integral part of India and will continue to remain so. He also questioned those advocating for the preservation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the government’s achievement in its abrogation.
Moreover, Jaishankar addressed concerns raised by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah regarding Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, asserting India’s confidence in its own nuclear arsenal. He criticized leaders who shy away from discussing PoJK due to fears of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.
The situation in PoJK remained tense on Monday as protests against rising prices of essential commodities and inflated utility bills continued. Clashes between security forces and demonstrators resulted in casualties, prompting the Pakistan government to deploy additional security personnel and initiate talks with protesters.
A long march organized by the Awami Action Committee (AAC) towards the PoJK capital, Muzaffarabad, further intensified the unrest. Roads were blocked, markets remained closed, and transportation services were disrupted, underscoring the gravity of the situation. In response to the escalating crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a high-level meeting to address the ongoing turmoil in PoJK, signaling the urgency of the situation.
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