Industry leaders on Monday hailed Narendra Modi-led government’s decision to scrap Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the “historic” move will not only empower its people but make India stronger.

The industry leaders also saw the development as the BJP fulfilling its election promise to do away with the Article and said it would pave the way for Jammu and Kashmir to attract large-scale investments.

“What the nation saw today will be truly historic if it opens the gateway for development and peace in #JammuAndKashmir. It will not just empower the Kashmiri people but make India stronger. #Article370,” Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani tweeted.

“Of course, it (scrapping of Article 370) will pave the way for Jammu and Kashmir to attract large-scale investments,” President of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rajeev Talwar told PTI.

He further said since doing away with Article 370 was a part of the BJP’s manifesto, it has the support of a majority of people in the country who voted the party to power with a decisive mandate in the recently held general elections.

Earlier in the day before the announcement was made, Mahindra group Chairman Anand Mahindra tweeted, “Cannot pretend this is just another Monday morning. The entire country is waiting to exhale over Kashmir. Can only pray for the safety of everyone there & for an outcome that makes the nation stronger & the future more positive.”

Later in another tweet, Mahindra said: “There are some decisions, which when taken, evoke the reaction “Why couldn’t this have happened earlier?” Today’s decision falls in that category. It’s time for us all to embrace Kashmiris as an indistinguishable & inseparable part of our national community”.