Ready for dialogue with Pakistan if it stops terrorism in J-K: Rajnath

Was addressing an election rally in Banihal assembly segment of Ramban district in support of BJP candidate

PTI

Banihal, Updated At : 06:59 PM Sep 08, 2024 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Union MoS Jitendra Singh during a public meeting ahead of Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, in Ramban district, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said India is ready to start dialogue with Pakistan if it stops terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing an election rally in this assembly segment of Ramban district in support of BJP candidate Mohd Saleem Bhat, Singh said Article 370 of the Constitution that granted special status to J-K was revoked to end the misery of the people and make the region prosperous.

"Pakistan, do one thing, that is, stop giving support to terrorism. Who would not like to improve relations with neighbouring countries? Because I know the reality that you can change a friend but not your neighbour. We want improved relations with Pakistan but first of all they should stop terrorism," Singh told a well-attended gathering here.

The defence minister said when Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, India will start dialogue with it.

"Among those who fell to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, 85 per cent were Muslims. Terror incidents used to be routine in Kashmir. Were Hindus being killed in the terror acts? I have been a home minister and I know the highest number of Muslims lost their lives in the incidents of terror," Singh said.

Earlier in the day, the defence minister addressed an election rally in nearby Ramban in support of party candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur and said more than 40,000 people lost their lives in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.