V-P says, J&K integral part of India, asserts country does not need unasked advice

JAMMU and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and the country is capable of solving its own problems, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said here on Friday, asking other nations to “confine themselves to their domestic problems” rather than giving unsolicited advice to India.

 

On his first Jammu and Kashmir visit since the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370, he said, without naming any country or individual, some people from the neighbourhood always try to create problems and disturbances because they do not want India to progress.

 

“My advice to some friends who are trying to give unasked advice to us in between and make commentaries to confine themselves to their domestic problems. We are capable of taking care of our own problems and they need not worry about us,” he said, addressing the 3rd and the 4th annual convocation of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) here.

The convocation for two batches were held together as the 3rd was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh and J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the function,

during which degrees were awarded to 148 MBA graduates who successfully completed their courses.

“My dear youngsters, where you are studying is an integral part of India,” Naidu told the students. “And we are of the opinion we are capable of solving our problems. No country for that matter has any business to interfere or make comments on the internal affairs of another country or any other country.”

In his nearly half-an-hour speech, he said, “We all believe in democracy and civilization. If you are really civilised you are not expected to interfere in the affairs of any other country. I am very clear about it.”