Harish Salve mentioned Pakistan’s reaction to the move as a sign of “complete bankruptcy” because Kashmir is an integral part of India where they were “squatting”
London: On Wednesday senior Indian lawyer Harish Salve endorsed the Narendra Modi government’s decision to revoke Article 370 to withdraw the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as a means of correcting a “mistake”.
Salve mentioned Pakistan’s reaction to the move as a sign of “complete bankruptcy” because Kashmir is an integral part of India where they were “squatting”.
Tensions between the two countries have raised since India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. India’s decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian ambassador.
Pakistan raising its voice to internationalize the Kashmir issue after India withdrew the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, but New Delhi has asserted the abrogation of Article 370 was its “internal matter”.
Harish Salve quoted, “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is Indian, they are squatting there. If there is any disputed territory, it is only PoK. The Kashmir Constitution says Kashmir is an integral part of India, not just the Indian Constitution. Kashmir is an integral part of India has never been in doubt, except in certain Pakistani minds.”
Salve was speaking to reporters at the Indian High Commission in London following a landmark judgment by the Royal Courts of Justice earlier in the day in favour of the Indian government in relation to funds associated with the Nizam of Hyderabad dating back to Partition in 1947.
On behalf of India as a key member of the legal team, the lawyer hailed the verdict as an important endorsement of India’s long-held stance against Pakistan in the UK court.
“It was a wrongful claim by Pakistan which had to be fought. We fought that claim and won it, in reference to the 35 million pounds held in a London bank account which will now be shared between the Nizam of Hyderabad’s heirs and the Indian government based on a confidential agreement struck between the parties” said Salve.
He quoted “Historians will be interested in seeing Pakistan’s open acceptance that they were supplying arms. It is an interesting dimension that has publicly been acknowledged,” in reference to one of the arguments used by Pakistan as part of its claim for the funds.
He added “The Supreme Court of India will hear and decide if there was anything wrong. But the way it has been portrayed by Pakistan shows their complete bankruptcy of the mind.”
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