Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the media after the release of the party’s election manifesto ahead of the state Assembly elections, in Jammu.
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: In a firm stance against resuming dialogue with Pakistan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday declared that India will not engage in talks as long as terrorism persists.
During a visit to Jammu to release his party’s manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections, Shah emphasized that “talks and bombs cannot go together,” and reiterated that dialogue with Pakistan would only be considered after terrorism is completely eradicated.
He reiterated this stance in response to questions regarding demands from Kashmiri politicians for resuming talks with Pakistan and restoring cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade, which was suspended after February 2019 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 paramilitary troopers were killed.
“Unless terrorism does not come to an end we cannot agree with it (cross-LoC trade),” Shah added.
Shah's position aligns with a recent assertion by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who declared that the "era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over."
The EAM was speaking at a book launch event in Delhi where he made some crucial comments on India's relationship with Pakistan.
“The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done. So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan," Jaishankar said.