PM: Indira could’ve resolved Kashmir in lieu of 1971 PoW

“Pak shown India's nuclear weapons not for Diwali”

JAMMU: Accusing the Congress of losing the upper hand 47 years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India surrendered a "golden opportunity" during 1971 war by releasing 90,000 Pakistani troops from the Indian Army's custody "under global pressure" which it could have used to resolve Kashmir dispute.

Modi also asserted that India was no longer afraid of Pakistan's nuclear threats as it is among the world powers with capability to carry out nuclear attacks across all three media - land, water, and air.
He added that it was hard steps taken by his government such as surgical strikes across the LoC which have instilled a sense of fear in the Pakistan.

In what was a reaction to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot highlighting in his recent election rallies the creation of Bangladesh by Indian armed forces after division of Pakistan during the rule of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1971, Modi raked up the 47-year-old history.

He said the then Congress government signed Shimla agreement (in 1972) "under global pressure" and released over 90,000 prisoners of war (PoW) instead of resolving the Kashmir dispute "in lieu of the PoW."

"Pak troops were in our custody. A big area of Pakistan was also captured by Indian forces during the 1971 war but the Congress government lost it on the table in Shimla agreement and they were released," he said.

"The government crumbled under the global pressure, signed the Shimla agreement and the matter was closed. The PoWs and the captured land were released. That was a golden opportunity to resolve the Kashmir dispute in lieu of the PoW," he said while addressing an election rally in Barmer district of the State.

The prime minister said it was a trump card in the government's hand but the chance was lost and the entire country is facing its repercussions today.

Modi said it was the reason why the Congress leaders do not want nationalism to be an issue.
Modi also said India is no more afraid of nuclear threats of Pakistan.

"The NDA government has instilled fear in the minds and hearts of terrorists. We hit terrorists getting right into their homes. Now India is no more afraid of Pakistan threats."

"Otherwise, Pakistan used to give nuclear threats. What do we have? Have we kept it for 'Diwali'? (Warna aay din nuclear button hai, ye kehte the. Hamare paas kya hai? Ye diwali ke liye rakha hai kya) , Modi asserted.

Modi said his government trampled Pakistan's ego and "forced it to roam around the world with a begging bowl."

"Hamne Pakistan ki sari hekdi nikal di. Use katora leke dunia me ghumne ko maine majboor kar diya hai," he said.

In an apparent reference to India's surgical strikes across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in September 2016 and its air strikes at a terror facility in Balakot in February this year, the Prime Minister said Indian forces killed terrorists across the border without engaging in a war.

"We went into their (terrorists') homes to attack them and they (Congress) are asking for proof. As we the hit terrorists, pains were felt in their hearts."

"They think terrorism and national security is just not the issue to discuss. They think that Modi should not talk of Indian honour and valour. Why? Am I here to attend a Bhajan Mandali (hymn singing session)?"

He said his government fulfilled the long-pending demands since Congress rule like One Rank, One Pension for the forces and the National War Memorial in Delhi.

Targeting the previous Congress government in the Centre over alleged recurrence of scams in defence sector during their tenure and the lack of modern equipments and weapons for the forces, Modi said, Therefore they (Congress) do not want to talk about the national security.

The PM said there was no progress in the Rafale deal during the Congress rule and despite the MIG planes crashing repeatedly, they did nothing to acquire new fighter jets.

Referring to the issue of Pak refugees in India, Modi said as the Hindus who are in minority in Pakistan faced discrimination there, the government of India made efforts to get Citizenship Amendment bill passed to help them.

"This chowkidaar has also made efforts to get the citizenship amendment law passed for those having the faith in the country (Maa Bharati). The people of this country who chose to live in Pakistan at the time of partition .... started facing atrocities because their faith was different, he said.

The PM said efforts will be made to complete the long-pending work after the government formation on May 23.