J&K is clearly internal matter, MEA tells Pak

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 24

India dismissed comments by Pakistan PM Imran Khan that the nuclear deterrent would no longer be required if the Kashmir issue was resolved, stating that developments in Jammu & Kashmir were “clearly an internal matter for India”.

Ministry slams China

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has hit back at China over the amassing of troops in eastern Ladakh even as it kept mum on the possibility of diplomatic talks this week.

Asked at a media briefing whether back channel talks brokered by the UAE also included New Delhi making a gesture on Kashmir as well as closing down two Indian consulates in Afghanistan that were near the Pakistan border, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the closure of the consulates was not a “recent development”.

On bilateral ties with Pakistan, he said the Indian stand was well known. “We desire normal ties with all nations, including Pakistan. Pakistan must work towards creating a conducive atmosphere by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible action of not allowing any territory under its control to be used for cross-border terrorism against India in any manner,” said Bagchi.

On Afghanistan, he said it was for the Afghan people to decide their partners, and the size of that partnership. “India has brought electricity, dams, schools, health clinics, roads and community projects to Afghanistan. The world knows what Pakistan has brought to Afghanistan,” he said.