Naidu decries attempts to internationalise restructuring of Jammu & Kashmir state

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on August 21, 2019, decried attempts to spread misinformation and internationalise the re-structuring of the Jammu & Kashmir state which was purely an administrative matter and within the purview of the Indian government.

Addressing the heads of Estonian diplomatic missions on the last day of his tri-nation tour to the Baltic Region, Naidu said that India would not accept interference or mediation in the internal affairs of the country and asserted that the restructuring of Jammu & Kashmir state was aimed at improving governance and fostering inclusive and equitable growth. “This decision was taken by the Indian parliament with an overwhelming majority cutting across party lines,” he added.

Naidu said that attempts by our neighbouring country to spread misinformation was totally unwarranted and that this kind of meddling with other nation’s internal administration doesn’t bode well for world peace. ” In a world that has committed to achieve an ambitious, transformative agenda of sustainable development by 2030, these irritants can retard the progress substantially,” he added.

He also outlined a few perspectives that have been guiding India’s engagement with the world, Samvad, Samruddhi, Suraksha, Sanskriti, and Samman  (Dialogue, mutual prosperity, mutual security, strengthening cultural ties and mutual respect). “We believe that we must have an inclusive, open and free system that treats all nations equally and fairly and aims to create mutually- beneficial platforms for cooperation. We wish to see a world order that ensures security and growth for all,”Naidu said.

Foreign Minister of Estonia Urmas Reinsalu welcomed the Vice President and more than 60 diplomats were present at the occasion.

Earlier in the day, Naidu held wide ranging talks with the President and Prime Minister of Estonia, who pledged to support India’s claim for permanent membership of the United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC) and to intensify the global efforts to fight against terrorism. Naidu and both the dignitaries :President Ms  Kersti Kaljulaid and Prime Minister Juri Ratas agreed to expand bilateral relations in all spheres, particularly economic, cultural and Information Technology.

Pointing out that India has been facing the menace of cross-border terrorism for long, Naidu told the Estonian leaders that more needs to be done by the international community to counter activities of terrorist groups and individuals. He stressed that there was a need to bring greater accountability and transparency to the work of UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee dealing with listing of terrorists. The Vice President urged all members of the UN to demonstrate a collective political will for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which was proposed by India in 1996.

Addressing the media along with the President of Estonia, Naidu said that we recognized the importance of building a global order based on respect for international law and national sovereignty. He also discussed common concerns such as climate change and global warming. “I invite Estonia to join the International Solar Alliance in which India is playing a leading role,” he added.

Addressing the India-Estonia Business Forum, the Vice President said that India has been recording an economic growth of over 7% for several years and was expected to become a US $ 5Trillion economy by 2025. “I am glad that the Indian start-ups and incubators participated in Latitude 59 for the first time in May this year in Tallinn,” he added.

Appreciating Estonia’s e-residency scheme, which facilitated about 2,200 Indians to become e-residents of Estonia, he said it would enable Indian companies and entrepreneurs to use Estonia as a launch pad for entering the Baltic, Nordic and European markets, according to a PIB release.

Addressing the India-Estonia Business forum, Naidu referred to the bilateral trade of US $ 172 million between Estonia and India and called for increasing trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.