AL Jazeera News :
Srinagar, India-administered Kashmir – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected foreign “advice and analysis” on disputed Kashmir as authorities scuttled a proposed “million march” called by pro-independence groups to protest against Modi’s visit.
Modi, speaking on Saturday, said India would instead follow former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s doctrine “to address Kashmir’s problems”.
“On Kashmir, I don’t need anyone’s advice or analysis. There can’t be a better message than what Vajpayee offered,”
Modi said in his address to hundreds of supporters in the summer capital, Srinagar.
“He [Vajpayee] talked about Kashmir’s pluralistic ethos, democracy and humanity to solve your issues. India will consolidate these three pillars in Kashmir.”
Vajpayee had offered to settle the Kashmir dispute in a spirit of “humanity” and friendship with Pakistan during his 2003 visit to the region.
Modi also offered a financial package of $12bn to the restive region, marred by a low-intensity conflict since 1989 between more than half a dozen rebel groups – who are seeking independence or the merger of the territory with neighbouring Pakistan – and nearly a million Indian troops.
“The major issue in Kashmir is unemployment. India will address it … Also Kashmir was every Indian family’s dream destination. I will bring back the lost glory of Kashmir. Tourism will flourish once again,” Modi said, as well as promising the return of international cricket to the region.
The Himalayan region was put on high alert ahead of his visit, with snipers on rooftops, hundreds of road obstacles and sniffer dogs near the venue of his speech.
Authorities blocked the internet and imposed an undeclared daytime curfew in many parts of Srinagar, barring residents from leaving their homes.
Only those with “special passes” were allowed to reach the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium where Modi addressed supporters.
Srinagar, India-administered Kashmir – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected foreign “advice and analysis” on disputed Kashmir as authorities scuttled a proposed “million march” called by pro-independence groups to protest against Modi’s visit.
Modi, speaking on Saturday, said India would instead follow former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s doctrine “to address Kashmir’s problems”.
“On Kashmir, I don’t need anyone’s advice or analysis. There can’t be a better message than what Vajpayee offered,”
Modi said in his address to hundreds of supporters in the summer capital, Srinagar.
“He [Vajpayee] talked about Kashmir’s pluralistic ethos, democracy and humanity to solve your issues. India will consolidate these three pillars in Kashmir.”
Vajpayee had offered to settle the Kashmir dispute in a spirit of “humanity” and friendship with Pakistan during his 2003 visit to the region.
Modi also offered a financial package of $12bn to the restive region, marred by a low-intensity conflict since 1989 between more than half a dozen rebel groups – who are seeking independence or the merger of the territory with neighbouring Pakistan – and nearly a million Indian troops.
“The major issue in Kashmir is unemployment. India will address it … Also Kashmir was every Indian family’s dream destination. I will bring back the lost glory of Kashmir. Tourism will flourish once again,” Modi said, as well as promising the return of international cricket to the region.
The Himalayan region was put on high alert ahead of his visit, with snipers on rooftops, hundreds of road obstacles and sniffer dogs near the venue of his speech.
Authorities blocked the internet and imposed an undeclared daytime curfew in many parts of Srinagar, barring residents from leaving their homes.
Only those with “special passes” were allowed to reach the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium where Modi addressed supporters.
