Congress veteran Salman Khurshid endorses the BJP’s stand on Article 370

In a notable development highlighting bipartisan consensus on national security, Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has publicly endorsed the BJP-led government’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which previously granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Khurshid, currently part of an all-party delegation touring Asia, emphasised that the removal of Article 370 has integrated the region more fully into India and facilitated democratic progress.

Speaking during a diplomatic visit to Indonesia, Khurshid addressed members of Indonesian think tanks and academia, stating that the special constitutional status under Article 370 had fostered a sense of separateness, which was “a major problem.” He noted that the abrogation ended the perception that Jammu and Kashmir was distinct from the rest of India.

Khurshid also lauded India’s military response under Operation Sindoor following a Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He reaffirmed India’s longstanding position that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) must be returned to India, aligning with the unanimous resolution passed by the Indian Parliament.

Furthermore, Khurshid emphasized that any dialogue with Pakistan should be contingent upon a verifiable commitment to peace and a complete cessation of terror activities. He highlighted that multiple peace overtures by India had been undermined by Pakistan’s consistent use of terrorism as a tactic.

This stance by a senior Congress leader underscores a rare moment of unity across party lines on issues concerning national security and territorial integrity.

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