Rajnath Singh: India willing to cross border to protect Kashmir
What's the story
On Saturday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that no power in the world could take Kashmir away from India, and if need be, Indian forces would cross border to protect the country's territorial integrity. Addressing the CNN News18 Rising India Summit, he praised valour of the Indian armed forces, and said that good relationship with Pakistan was possible if it stopped aiding terrorists.
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Rajnath Singh's warning to those looking to take Kashmir
"Kashmir is, was and will be ours always. No one can take it from us. We not only secure India within but can also cross the border to protect the country, if needed. No one should take it otherwise," the Union Home Minister said.
Kashmir issue
What Rajnath Singh had to say about the Kashmir issue
Singh said that the government was looking for a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue and was willing to speak to anyone about it. As part of ongoing efforts, government-appointed interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, a former Intelligence Bureau official, has invited people from all sections for talks. He also added that he had personally asked J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti to ignore cases against first-time stone-pelters.
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First-time stone-pelters need to be given second chance, says Singh
Earlier in 2018, the government of Jammu and Kashmir withdrew cases registered against 9,730 people for stone-pelting. These included first-time stone pelters. "They are young. We need to given them a second chance," said Rajnath Singh at the summit.
Pakistan & terrorism
Don't know what happened to Pakistan, says Singh
On the issue of terrorism, Singh said that PM Modi has managed to get global consensus and get the international community on board. Citing the condemnation of Pakistan by US, Singh criticized Pakistan for giving legitimacy to UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is currently seeking to form a political party and contest elections in Pakistan. "I don't know what happened to Pakistan," said Singh.
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The Naxalism problem cannot be solved violently, says Rajnath Singh
"The battle against Naxals can't be won through bullets. We are taking several developmental initiatives in this direction. We are trying to reach those areas which have remained unreachable since independence," said Rajnath Singh on the issue of Naxalism.