India Open to Dialogue With Pakistan if Terrorism Ends: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India is open to starting dialogue with Pakistan if it guarantees an end to terrorism on Indian soil. He criticized Congress, NC, and PDP for allegedly working as 'proxies of Pakistan' and assured that terrorism will be eradicated in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a recent address, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India is willing to initiate a dialogue with Pakistan, contingent upon a guarantee that the neighboring country will cease promoting terrorism on Indian soil. Singh took aim at the Congress, National Conference (NC), and People's Democratic Party (PDP), accusing them of acting as 'proxies of Pakistan.' He emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not permit what he termed the 'impure agenda' of Islamabad to take root in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at political rallies in Kotranka and Sunderbani, Singh highlighted the importance of Hindu-Muslim unity for India's progress. He reaffirmed that any dialogue with Pakistan would require a firm stance against terrorism. Singh criticized Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's remarks about Article 370, calling them interference in India's internal matters. He also pointed out Pakistan's economic struggles, describing the nation as an 'international brand of poverty and destitution.'

Singh assured voters that terrorism would be eradicated from Jammu and Kashmir and promised the creation of a 'new Jammu and Kashmir.' He lambasted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly defaming India abroad and underscored that no other government had done as much for the region as the Modi administration. Singh also noted that Pakistani refugees and marginalized communities would vote in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls for the first time in seven decades, attributing this change to BJP-led initiatives.

(With inputs from agencies.)