S Jaishankar says Article 370 is temporary measure

Jaishankar Speech to members of the Indian community in Singapore (file photo)

Singapore:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said Article 370 is a temporary measure that prevents the very progressive law from being extended to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Addressing members of Singapore’s Indian community, Jaishankar said the benefits of this change are now clear.

The minister said that Article 370 is a temporary measure in the Indian Constitution and extending it will do two things and hurt us as a country.

“First, it created a climate of separatism, violence and terrorism. It became a security issue for the entire country. Second, it prevented the then very progressive laws from being extended to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” he added road.

In August 2019, the Indian government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and divided the state into two federal territories.

“Today you can see the benefits of the changes that have taken place,” he said in response to a question.

Mr Jaishankar will be on a three-day visit to Singapore starting from Saturday.

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