Not just PoK, retrieve part of Jammu and Kashmir under China's control too: Omar Abdullah on Jaishankar's remark

Jaishankar has recently said in London that the Kashmir dispute will be resolved once the "stolen" part of the valley is returned to India.

"I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is only under illegal Pakistani occupation. When that's done, I assure you, Kashmir is solved," Jaishankar said at London's Chatham House in response to a question by a journalist of Pakistani origin.

In response, Abdullah, who is running the Jammu and Kashmir government in an alliance with the Congress, said, "The Foreign Minister said the PoK will be retrieved. Who has stopped you? Have we ever said do not bring it back? We have always maintained to bring it back if such is the intention... But have you brought it back during the Kargil war?

"Wasn't there an opportunity to bring it back? Why didn't you bring it back at that time when there was an opportunity given the fact Pakistan had attacked us. Doesn't matter if you couldn't do it back but do it now. Who among us has opposed it?"

He added addressing the legislative assembly, "But not just Pakistan has occupied a part of Jammu and Kashmir, China too has occupied a part. Why does no one talk about bringing the part of Jammu and Kashmir which is under China's control?

"I would urge the government to bring back both the parts of Jammu and Kashmir."

Jaishankar's remark was applauded by several in the room.

The EAM has also stressed on the benefits of the Modi government's historic step of abrogating Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

"On Kashmir, actually we have done, I think, a good job solving most of it. I think removing Article 370 was the first step followed by restoring growth and economic activity and social justice, holding elections which were done with a very high turnout," said Jaishankar.

Abdullah has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which runs the central government, for linking abrogation of Article 370 with terrorism.

The Chief Minister questioned the BJP over the alleged increase in terrorism since the abrogation of Article 370.