In a thinly-disguised reference to Pakistan, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, now in the United States on an official visit, said that violence in Kashmir is “coming from across the border” and making it clear that the Indian Government is pro-actively dealing with the situation.
He also sought to highlight the point that a small percentage of people was holding the majority in the sensitive border State to ransom.
“As far as Kashmir is concerned, the Indian Government has been very proactive in handling the violence which comes from across the border,” Parrikar told reporters at a joint news conference with US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter at the Pentagon on Monday.
Asked about the current situation in the State, he said curfew has been lifted and an all-party delegation will soon be visiting the Valley.
Commenting that “a small percentage is holding the majority to ransom”, Parrikar sought to drive home the point that Jammu & Kashmir is having a democratically-elected Government, with its Chief Minister belonging to the Valley.
Noting that India and the United States have “resolved to continue our cooperation on counter-terrorism”, Parrikar said in his opening remarks: “The forces that seek to undermine our progress and our ways of life require our comprehensive and robust response. We appreciate the support from United States in our efforts to eliminate terrorism in India's neighbourhood.”
“Our open and diverse societies are committed to peace. However, as the United States has shown, there can be no compromise when we are faced with terrorism,” Parrikar said, adding: “Secretary Carter and I agreed that countering terrorism is an important shared objective. The partnership between India and the United States is driven by our shared values and interests. This was underlined by the enthusiasm of the US Congress with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June this year.”
Carter, while responding to a question, said that not only Indian civilians but its military has also been a victim of terrorism. “Terrorism is one of the many missions on which we cooperate...We oppose terrorism affecting anyone and us,” he said.
