Will find permanent solution to Kashmir issue: Rajnath Singh

Singh accused Pakistan of trying to “destabilise” India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir. He said the heads of government of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited for the swearing-in ceremony of the Narendra Modi government in 2014, in an indication that India wanted friendly relations with them.

“Pakistan PM ko bhi oath ceremony me bulaya tha. Kewal haath milane ke liye nahin bulaya tha, balki dil se dil milane ke liye aamantrit kiya tha (Pakistan’s PM was also invited for oath-taking ceremony. We didn’t call him just to shake hands, we invited him to connect our hearts),” said Singh.

However, he said, there was no change in Pakistan’s “attitude”, and its attempt to “destabilise” India. “We hope that Pakistan will change. If they don’t change, we will have to change them. After globalisation, one country can’t destabilise another country, as the international community will not forget it,” he said.

Kashmir has been in the grip of violence since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July last year. Though there was a brief lull, violence erupted again on April 9 this year when the bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on polling day, and the turnout was just 7.14 per cent — the lowest ever in the Valley since the rise of militancy in 1989.

The bypoll for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat was first deferred and then cancelled by the Election Commission, which said the situation in the region was “scary”. Students have joined the protests, fighting pitched battles with security forces.

The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the India-China border. He also visited the Nathu La border post, besides a few posts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the India-China and India-Nepal border respectively.