Peace talks when Pakistan stops supporting terror in Jammu and Kashmir: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat

NEW DELHI: Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said that peace talks with Pakistan could take place only when it stops supporting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to reporters near Barmer on the sidelines of ‘Hamesha Vijayee’ exercise conducted by the Army’s Southern Command in the Thar Desert, General Rawat asked Pakistan to stop meddling in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We also want relations to be better, but given the kind of actions there are and terrorism spreading in Jammu and Kashmir, it doesn’t appear that they really want peace,” PTI quoted Rawat as saying.

The Army, paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police have been conducting successful counter-terrorist operations against militants in J&K and action will continue, he added. Rawat’s comments come a day after foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India would like good relations with Pakistan provided Islamabad takes action against terror groups.


“It is important for Pakistan to understand our core concern, which is terrorism. We have time and again asked them to take action against terrorists who are operating from their soil. This is something they (Pakistan) will have to handle if they are serious in cultivating this friendship,” Kumar said. The assertions follow Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa pledging his support for better ties. According to media reports, Bajwa had said he will support any initiative of the civilian government to resolve issues with India through talks.