Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 25: The Minister of State for Defence today said that talks with Pakistan can’t be held when the guns are roaring but hoped peace with that country so that bilateral issues are resolved.
Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh told reporters today on the sidelines of the wreath laying at the War Memorial at Badamibagh Cantonment here that talks with Pakistan can only progress if Islamabad fulfills its commitment of not allowing its territory for anti-India activities.
“The basic issue with Pakistan is that they should not allow their territory to be used for terrorist activities against India. If they can make sure of this, then the atmosphere becomes conducive for talks,” Singh said.
The Minister said that talks cannot be held when guns roaring. “We are hopeful that the peaceful environment continues and the issues are resolved”, he said.
Singh said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is not only under control but had improved over the years. “I think it is only because of the efforts of the Armed forces that they have not allowed the situation to go out of hand,” he added.
The Minister when asked about Chinese threat said India will have to remain cautious about all the countries with which it had disputes in the past. “We cannot choose our neighbours and kind of security environment we desire is not probably there. Any country with which we have had disputes in the past, we have to be careful. We are being cautious about China also,” he added.
Singh described the situation in Iraq is a matter of concern for India and hoped that the turmoil in that region will not affect the oil supplies to country. “The new issue of concern is Iraq. Our oil pipeline comes from Southern Iraq. So far the terrorist have not targeted this pipeline but the Government is keeping a close watch on the issue,” he added. “We are hopeful that the situation in Iraq improves and our oil supplies are not affected,” he said.
Meanwhile, a defence spokesman said here that the Minister who is on his maiden visit to the Valley, visited Badamibagh Cantonment and paid rich tributes to martyrs and laid wreath at the Chinar Corps War Memorial this morning.
The spokesman said that the Minister arrived at Srinagar on June 23. “A solemn ceremony was organized wherein the Raksha Rajya Mantri paid rich tributes to the martyrs who have laid their lives defending the Nation”, the spokesman added.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel