Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day today received both praise and criticism from leaders of different political parties. While leaders of the BJP were all praise for PM’s speech, Congress and AAP leaders called it “disappointing.” Congress leader Salman Khurshid termed Modi’s speech as his “election speech”.

The PM raised the issue of PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and Balochistan, thanking people from these regions for their words of praise. “In the last few days, there have been talks of Gilgit, PoK and Balochistan. People from these places have expressed their gratitude and have thanked me. I am very grateful and thankful to them. I have never met them, they live far away, but the fact that they are appreciating me is a matter of respect for the people of India,” the Prime Minister said. However, Khurshid said that talking about Balochistan does not help Kashmir. Several other leaders, including some industrialists and US ambassador to India Richard Verma took to Twitter to respond to PM’s speech. Here are what they said.

With his recent statements, Modi has changed the way India till now engaged with its neighbour. One hopes that the changed stance will help bring peace to Kashmir.

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