Addressing civil society members in Indonesia, where he is travelling as part of an Indian delegation on global Operation Sindoor outreach, Khurshid said, “Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an Article called 370 of the Constitution which somehow gave an impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article 370 was abrogated and finally put to an end.”
The former External Affairs Minister added that after the abrogation, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an election with 65 per cent turnout.
“And the limited exercise we need to do to ensure our family remains safe is what we did for four days (Operation Sindoor) and we gave a message to Pakistan not to indulge in any misadventure. You will not succeed. I hope we have been able to send that message,” said Khurshid.
Earlier, after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Khurshid had said the provision paved the way for J&K to remain in India and it was a bond not a barrier.
His position, clearly changed now, was reflected in his remarks in Indonesia.
