Amit Shah opposes LoC trade resumption and talks with Pakistan

Amit Shah questioned the intentions behind the proposed resumption of LoC trade, asserting, "They say we will re-start LoC trade, but who will benefit from it? There profit will be used in spreading terrorism."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at a public rally in Jammu on September 7, firmly rejected proposals to restart Line of Control (LoC) trade and engage in talks with Pakistan.

Shah emphasized that dialogue with Pakistan would not resume until peace is established. "They want to talk to Pakistan, but I want to say that till there is no peace, there will be no talks with Pakistan," he stated. Following the release of the BJP’s manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir on September 6, Shah reiterated that India will not engage in negotiations with Pakistan until terrorism is addressed, emphasising, “Talks and bombs cannot go together.”

Shah questioned the intentions behind the proposed resumption of LoC trade, asserting, "They say we will re-start LoC trade, but who will benefit from it? There, profit will be used in spreading terrorism."

Addressing terrorism concerns, Shah asserted, “They want to release the criminals wrapped up in terrorism, but we won't let them spread terrorism in Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri, and Doda.” underscoring the government’s commitment to security in these areas.

Earlier, Shah expressed a firm stand against any possibility of restoring autonomy to the region. Addressing party workers in Jammu's Palauru, he stated, "They want to give autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. I want to make it clear that there can never be autonomy." He reiterated that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time after elections, urging opposition leaders to cease misleading the public. During his address on September 6, Shah also highlighted the significant reduction in terror-related activities and stone-pelting incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah released the BJP manifesto with 25 promises, focussing on women, youths, Kashmiri Pandits, restoring temples and wiping out terrorism, for the upcoming J&K assembly polls.

Shah’s remarks came as he released the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, which includes 25 promises focusing on women, youth, Kashmiri Pandits, temple restoration, and combating terrorism. The assembly elections are scheduled to take place in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with a total of 90 constituencies, including 7 reserved for SCs and 9 for STs. Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible voters, marking the first assembly elections in the region since the abrogation of Article 370.