J&K changes internal matter: Rajnath Singh to US counterpart

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh has specifically conveyed to his US counterpart Mark T Esper that changes in the administrative structure of Jammu and Kashmir are India’s internal matter, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation.

In a scheduled telephonic talk with Esper, Singh emphasised that cross-border terrorism must stop and appreciated US efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

“Raksha mantri raised the issue of cross-border terrorism affecting India and appreciated US support for India’s effort to maintain peace and stability in the region. He said that issues relating to Article 370 were an internal matter of India which were aimed at improving growth and economic development, democracy and prosperity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” a statement by the defence ministry read.


Officials said while the call was made to discuss the upcoming 2+2 dialogue between the two nations and other bilateral issues, the US side raised recent developments in J&K towards the end to which Singh reiterated India’s position.

“The issue about the removal of Article 370 was raised and it was conveyed that the matter was internal and related to sovereignty issues. This was accepted by the other side,” officials told ET.

“US secretary of defence appreciated India’s position that the recent developments in Jammu & Kashmir are an internal matter of India,” the statement read.