January 07, 2025 08:43 pm (IST)
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Boundaries between nations can't be changed: Jaitley to Pak
Srinagar, Dec 3 (IBNS): Describing the higher voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir polls as a "message for the outside world", Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday reiterated that the northern state is an integral part of India and "Pakistan needs to understand once and forever that boundaries between nations cannot be rewritten now."
Addressing a large gathering of civil society and intellectuals in Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre Srinagar, Jaitley said, "Those few who believe resorting to violence can result in secession of any part of a country of over 1.25 billion people, are badly mistaken."
The minister said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power on earth can change this fundamental reality.
"Yes, there are problems and we are ready to discuss and resolve them," he asserted.
Jaitley said that he the took charge as the defence minister when two youths were killed in Chattergam area in army firing.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked me to immediately find out the reality. I found out the truth and let me tell you, I became the first Defence Minister of India to express regrets and apologize for the mistake on my Twitter handle," he said and added that within less than a month, those found responsible for the incident were identified and punished.
Jaitley said Jammu and Kashmir, and especially the Valley, has tremendous power to prosper as God has gifted this place to be called the paradise on Earth.
"We want permanent peace in the state and want Jammu and Kashmir to prosper," he said.
"This power needs to be harnessed for all sorts of tourism, including leisure, adventure and religious tourism," Jaitley said adding that the local craftsmen were very gifted.
He said while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is discussing and debating what should be the contours of legal and constitutional relationship between the Centre, and the state, the outcome of such a debate would not come in the way of Centre's support and assistance to Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister also referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's statement that a country's neighbour cannot be changed, but relations between nations can be improved.
He hailed the people for turning up in large numbers to vote in the assembly polls.
(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
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