New Delhi:
The Centre on Thursday gave it response over mentioning of the term 'Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir' in the notification of the US State Department. The US state department had used the reference while putting Syed Salahuddin as a designated global terrorist in their document. The main opposition party Congress had attacked the government on the very issue on Wednesday.
The MEA spokesperson said, "The use of the term 'Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir' merely affirms our position that Syed Salahuddin has been involved in cross-border terrorism against India. Similar term has been used in the State Department's country reports on terrorism brought out every year, including in the period 2010 - 2013, in the context of cross-border terrorism perpetrated on India. India's consistent position that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India is well known.”
He further added that India has welcomed the designation of Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US Administration. This long-awaited step had been under discussion.
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The Congress had criticised the government for not objecting to the US reference to "Indian- administered Jammu and Kashmir" in designating Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist.
“Shocking that US government order on Syed Salahuddin refers to 'Indian Administered J&K'. No protest from Modi government. Complicit sell-out?" AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted.
In a series of tweets on the issue, he said, "Modiji and BJP drumbeat and preach 'Pseudo Nationalism' everyday. India asks - why have you accepted US phrase of 'Indian-administered J&K'?"
Also Read: US designates head of Kashmiri militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist
