SRINAGAR: Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Arun Jaitley said Centre was ready for talks with all those who shun the path of violence.
Whatever methods Pakistan uses, it cannot take even an inch of land from us, he declared and expressed satisfaction over the voter turnout in the first two phases of five phased assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Everybody, including Pakistan, should know that Kashmir is an integral party of India and nobody can change this reality, Union Minister for Finance and Information and Broadcasting said while addressing members of the civil society and intelligentsia at S K International Convention Complex (SKICC) on the bank of Dal Lake here this afternoon.
He said whatever methods our neighbor uses, it cannot take an inch of land from Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Jaitley said the Centre was ready to hold talks with all those who shun the path of violence. “We are ready to hold talks with an open mind with everybody so that permanent peace is restored in this border state, necessary for development and prosperous .
“I heard the news last night about the 72 per cent voter turn in the second phase out which was a great satisfaction,” he said.
Mr Jaitley said people have reposed faith in the democratic process and this will help them to elect a government of their own.
Expressing sympathy with the September flood victims, the union finance minister said that centre will provide adequate compensation to them.
(AGENCIES)
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