Language of bygone era of no use: India to Pak on J&K

NEW DELHI: Making it clear that Jammu and Kashmir is and will be its integral part, India today hit back at Pakistan's claim of it being a "disputed territory" and said the language of a bygone era does not help anyone.

India said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif have adopted a "forward-looking approach".

"It does not pay to speak the language of the past. It does not pay to look into the rear-view mirror. Prime Minister (Modi) and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have adopted a forward- looking approach and it is on that approach that we are focused on. The language of a bygone era does not help anyone," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told reporters here.

He was replying to Pakistan needling India yesterday ahead of Modi's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as Prime Minister by harping that Kashmir was a "disputed territory".

Asked about the timing of Pakistan's statement, the spokesperson said "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The Prime Minister of India can visit any part of India anytime he desires. This is not for me to comment on what others say. It is for them to explain to you".

Explaining India's position, he said "our position is that Jammu and Kashmir remains and will remain an integral part of India. As regards the language of a bygone era, it does not serve anybody, any purpose to look into the rear view mirror and speak in terms of which are not in consonance with what Prime Minister and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are working towards".

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam had yesterday said "we do not accept the so-called accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India. Kashmir is not an integral part of India. Our position is that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory".