Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday stated that India is "waiting for the return of the stolen parts of Kashmir [by Pakistan]" for the issue of Kashmir to be fully resolved.
"Look, in Kashmir, we have actually done a good job solving most of it. I think removing Article 370 was step number one. Then, restoring growth, economic activity, and social justice in Kashmir was step number two. Holding elections with a very high turnout was step number three," said Jaishankar, who was speaking at Chatham House in London.
He added: "I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which is under illegal Pakistani occupation. Once that is done, I assure you—Kashmir will be solved."
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, challenged the Centre over Jaishankar's statement, Times of India reported.
"The foreign minister says they will bring back the part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan. Did we ever stop them? If the Central government can take it back, then do it now," Omar Abdullah said in the assembly.
Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said: "Instead of making baseless claims about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, India should vacate the large territories of Jammu and Kashmir under its occupation from the last 77 years."
“The relevant UN Security Council resolutions stipulate that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices. India’s prevarication cannot change this reality,” PTI quoted the Pakistan official as saying.
