Pakistan Nervous About India's Steps In Jammu And Kashmir, Time For It To Accept Reality Of Kashmir: MEA

India on Friday said Pakistan is nervous over India's steps in Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that Islamabad thinks it will not be able to mislead people if there is development in that region.

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. AFP

NEW DELHI: Days after Pakistan decided to downgrade diplomatic ties with India over the revocation of Article 370, News Delhi on Friday said that Islamabad is nervous over India's steps in Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that the neighbouring country thinks it will not be able to mislead people if there is development in that region. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said steps have been taken keeping in mind the best interests of Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted Pakistan's efforts to link peace deal with Kashmir issue have not worked. "There is a feeling that Pakistan is nervous over India's initiative in Jammu and Kashmir," Kumar said. "Pakistan thinks it will not be able to mislead people if there is development in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Kumar said it is time for Pakistan to accept the reality of change in the status of Jammu and Kashmir and stop interfering in what is entirely an internal matter of India. "It is time for Pakistan to accept the reality (of revoking of Article 370) and stop interfering in the internal affairs of another country." He said Pakistan is upset over the revocation of special status for Kashmir and the massive development work that is planned to be brought into J&K now, as Islamabad "will not be able to incite terrorism or mislead the people of Kashmir anymore". He stressed that "all matters relating to J&K are an internal matter, and a sovereign matter concerning India. We want Pakistan to understand this." On consular access to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, he said: "We are in touch with Pakistan." His remarks come days after the Indian government scrapped special status for Jammu and Kashmir and split it into two Union territories. Kumar also said that Pakistan suspending the Samjhauta Express was a unilateral move which was unfortunate. On Pakistan expelling the Indian High Commissioner, announcing snapping of trade ties among other measures, he said: "We hope they review the decision and hope they address the core issues." (With inputs from agencies)