A day after Al Qaeda called for Jihad to liberate Kashmir; defence minister Arun Jaitley said India is strong enough to stop ?such elements? but sounded a caution.
?I am confident that the strength of India, as a state not to allow such elements to foment trouble in India, is considerable,? Jaitley said referring to the Al Qaeda video. He, however, was quick to sound a caution. ?Even when I am optimistic, there is an element of caution in my optimism because people inimical to India, as the example you have just given, will try to foment trouble?.
Jaitley, who was addressing a press conference in Srinagar at the end of his two day visit to valley, said they would be look how the situation develops. ?Obviously, there are forces which are inimical to India,? he said. ?We would not like these to continue and, therefore, we factor all this in when we discuss the situation.?
When asked which one is a bigger threat to India ? Pakistan or China ? Jaitley downplayed it. ?Well these are not the questions you answer in the abstract by using phraseology like threat,? he said. ?India is quite capable of handling its own sovereignty?.
Departing from Vajpayee?s ?insaniyat ke dayirae mein (within the ambit of humanity)?, Jaitley clearly said any talks with the separatists could be held only within the ?framework of constitution?.
?Well you see, we are willing to talk to everybody who wants to function within the framework of the constitution and sovereignty,? he said. ?These are two issues with which there can be no compromise?.
The defence minister also reviewed the security situation in valley. Though he said he is satisfied with the security situation in the state, he ducked question on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
?After this assessment, I am hopeful I am going back with a sense of reasonable satisfaction,? he said.