India

Pakistan should stop supporting militants in Kashmir, says Bipin Rawat

Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said peace talks with Pakistan can take place only when it stops supporting militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

Given its actions, it doesn’t appear that Pakistan really wants peace, the army chief added.

The statement comes a day after Pakistan army Chief had said that that he will support any initiative of the civilian government to resolve issues with India through talks, according to a media report.

In a rare move, the Army chief briefed the Senate – the upper house of the parliament – on security situation and regional issues on Tuesday.

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“We also want relations should be better but given what kind of actions there are (from their side) and terrorism is spreading in Jammu and Kashmir, it doesn’t appear that they really want peace,” Rawat said.

The army, paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir police have been taking actions against militants in Jammu and Kashmir successfully and the action will continue, he added.

Rawat’s comments come a day after Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India would like good relations with Pakistan provided Islamabad takes action against militant groups.

“It is important for Pakistan to understand our core concern, which is terrorism. We have time and again asked them to take action against militants who are operating from their soil. This is something they (Pakistan) will have to handle if they are serious in cultivating this friendship,” Kumar said.

 

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