‘No Talks With Terroristan'

India has no problem talking to Pakistan but it has a problem talking to Terroristan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in New York, asserting that Islamabad has created an entire industry of terrorism to deal with the Kashmir issue.

Jaishankar, addressing a New York audience at cultural organisation Asia Society, said when India decided to revoke Article 370 and bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, it drew a reaction from Pakistan and China. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and also expelled Indian High Commissioner after India revoked the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.

China had voiced serious concern over the situation in Kashmir, saying the parties concerned should exercise restraint and act with caution, especially to avoid actions that unilaterally change the status quo and exacerbate tension. Jaishankar emphasised, “India has no problem talking to Pakistan. But we have a problem talking to Terroristan. And they have to be one and not be the other.” He underlined that revoking Article 370 has no implications for India’s external boundaries.