S Jaishankar: Article 370 in Kashmir had 'raised the cost of business'

Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar on Monday while speaking at US-India strategic partnership forum in New Delhi stated that presence of Article 370 in Kashmir h “raised cost of business and narrowed its scope.” Dr. Jaishankar furr went on to blame “liberal” media for making it difficult for India to explain to US lawmakers its decision to remove certain provisions of Article 370 that changes constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir.

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'I think it was a much more difficult challenge with media'

"So, by time I actually went to US in September which was about six weeks after event, we h me considerable progress. I think it was a much more difficult challenge with media, especially English-speaking liberal media because partly y were very ideological about it, y h strong preset views on this subject," he said.

"In my view...in many ways y did t present a fair picture. Maybe y did t absorb a fair picture eir," External Affairs Minister said. A lot of it was really about correcting cumulative impressions that one gets by being at receiving end of media cover, Dr Jaishankar said. "I found a lot of people... were surprised at information that particular provision of Constitution that was changed was a temporary provision because media does t say that," he said.

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India's 'internal business'

Dr Jaishankar, while speaking at forum furr asserted that change in Article 370 of Constitution was India's 'internal business'. "This change is our internal business but obviously re was interest around world because different people h views about it and our neighbours me a bit of a fuss about it," he said. Minister said that after move to do away with special status of Jammu and Kashmir, India prioritised engaging with governments of different countries to make m understand what change was about.

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Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill

decision to revoke Artice 370 and 35 (A) was taken by government in August when Home Minister Amit Shah introduced Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 in Rajya Sabha on August 5. Bill was passed after hours of debate on same day and was passed in Lok Sabha on August 6. 

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(With Inputs from PTI)