'Ready To Start Dialogue If...': Rajnath Singh Lays Out India's Condition For Talks With Pakistan

Jammu: Rajnath Singh in kashmir talks with pakistan Banihal terrorism 'Ready To Start Dialogue If...': Rajnath Singh Lays Out India's Condition For Talks With Pakistan

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said he is ready to start dialogue with Pakistan if it stops supporting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
 
"Pakistan do one thing that is stop giving support of terrorism. Who would not like to improve relations with neighbouring countries? Because I know the reality that you can change a friend but not your neighbour. We want improved relations with Pakistan but first of all they should stop terrorism," Rajnath Singh said while addressing an election rally in Banihal. 
 
Rajnath Singh is in Kashmir to campaign for the BJP ahead of the assembly polls in the Union Territory.
 
Singh said Article 370 of the Constitution that granted special status to J&K was revoked to end the misery of the people and make the region prosperous.
 
The defence minister further said when Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism in the UT, India will start dialogue with them.
 
"Among those who fell to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, 85 percent were Muslims. Terror incidents used to be a routine affair in Kashmir. Were Hindus being killed in the terror acts? I have been a home minister and I know the highest number of Muslims lost their lives in the incidents of terror," Singh said.
 
Earlier on Sunday, Rajnath Singh addressed an election rally in nearby Ramban in support of party candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur and said more than 40,000 people lost their lives in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.