New Delhi: Administering a strong snub to China which had raked up Kashmir by offering to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad, India on Thursday said cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir was at the “heart” of the matter that was threatening regional peace, adding that it was a bilateral matter between it and Pakistan. New Delhi reiterated its position that it was always open to bilateral talks with Pakistan to solve issues but India’s position also has been that talks and terror cannot go together.
New Delhi also said it continues to work diplomatic channels to resolve the situation following the continuing Doklam face-off in Bhutan between Indian and Chinese troops. New Delhi also indicated that the Doklam issue figured in the “conversation” between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G-20 summit last week in Hamburg. India’s strong reaction came a day after the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson reportedly said China was willing to play a “constructive role” in improving Indo-Pak ties, amid the increased hostility along the LoC. China also had said the situation in Kashmir has attracted “international” attention.
The Chinese offer is being seen by observers as an attempt to pressure India on Kashmir. “At the heart of the matter is really the issue of cross-border terrorism perpetrated on India including on the people of the state of J&K. So, the matter is that cross-border terrorism in our region emanating from a particular source is threatening peace and stability in not only India but (also) other neighbours,” MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. As far as the Kashmir issue itself is concerned, the government’s position has been very consistent and clear, he said.
“We have been ready to have dialogue with Pakistan among other issues (including) J&K in a bilateral framework. That position of addressing all issues with Pakistan including the Kashmir issue in a bilateral framework has not changed,” Baglay said. India’s stand however has been that talks and terror cannot go together. He also strongly rejected allegations by Pakistan that India was using chemical weapons in Kashmir, saying India is against the use of chemical weapon anywhere by anyone in any situation. Baglay hit out at the Pakistan government for “reading” from terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s terror script in glorifying Hizbul militant Burhan Wani, who was killed by security forces in July last year.
On the Doklam issue, the MEA indicated that the Doklam issue figured in the “conversation” between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G-20 summit last week in Hamburg although it did not explicitly say so. “I leave it to your imagination and common sense,” Mr. Baglay told a reporter in response to a question whether the issue had figured during talks.
