Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took part in an all-party meet to discuss the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting had been called in a bid to discuss ways of cooling the tensions in Kashmir, which had erupted after the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani by security forces.
“There cannot be any compromise on national security. But we have to win the confidence of the people in Jammu and Kashmir,” PM Modi said at the all-party meeting. He also reiterated India’s stand that it considered Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) a part of Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi thanked parties from across the political spectrum for having spoken in one voice on the issue.
Two key decisions were made at the all-party meet – engagement with all concerned parties in Kashmir and that there would be no visit by an all-party delegation yet, a leading daily reported.
Opposition leaders at the meeting called for talks to be initiated with all stake holders in Kashmir, including separatists.
PM Modi’s reference to PoK was the second time his government has mentioned it in as many days.
On Thursday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had told Lok Sabha that India’s willingness to discuss the Kashmir issue with Pakistan would be limited to PoK. Rajnath had categorically ruled out any discussion with Islamabad on Jammu and Kashmir.
