After Imran Khan's J&K comment, Modi govt reacts to 'talk to Pakistan' call by ex-CM Mehbooba Mufti

Days after Pakistan's Prime Minister once again tried to rake up the Kashmir issue at an international forum, the Indian government commented on the possibility of diplomatic dialogue.

Union minister Jitendra Singh reacted to a statement by former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. A day earlier, Mufti had reportedly said that peace would not be possible in Jammu and Kashmir till the Union government holds talks with the people of the state-turned-Union Territory, and with Pakistan.

Jitendra Singh said, "First of all, will BJP hold talks with its own people or with foreigners? I don't understand. Secondly, taking note of such remarks is the prerogative of the foreign ministry. I don't have the right to say that the government must hold talks with Pakistan, or some other country. Thirdly, holding talks with a country which is encouraging terrorism would mean that there is an effort to have talks and terror together. Dialogue is possible when guns are silenced. Dialogue is not audible over the noise of gunfire and explosions."

Days earlier, Imran Khan had spoked on Kashmir at a meeting of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, hosted by Pakistan. Khan had reportedly accused India of committing "war crimes" in the Valley.