NEW DELHI – Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that thegovernment was ready for talks with only “right-minded people” inIndian-Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and Pakistan, *The Hindulink>*reported*. *
Singh is touring the disputed region to review the situation in the restiveterritory. The union minister said talks will be held with Pakistanprovided the nation ‘eradicated terror’. Pakistan must accept Indianassistance if it cannot do so on its own, he added.
Extending an olive branch to separatists Singh said, “Dialogue can be heldwith everyone. It is not necessary to be like-minded to hold talks, but itis compulsory to be right-minded,”
In March, a belligerent Singh no power in the world could take away Kashmirfrom India. “Kashmir is, was and will always be ours. No one can take itfrom us,” the union minister told an Indian television channel.
Praising the Indian Army for its valour he said, “We can also cross theborder to protect the country, if needed. No one should think otherwise.”
The union minister said the Indian government was keen on finding apermanent solution to the Kashmir problem and was open to speak to anyone.Singh said government-appointed interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, a formerintelligence bureau chief, had invited people across the spectrum fortalks. He said Kashmir’s children were like his own and no one would beallowed to brainwash them into radicalisation.
This article originally appeared in *The Hindulink>.*