Congress’ Salman Khurshid Backs Article 370 Abrogation, Cites End to Kashmir’s ‘Major Problem’

Congress’ Salman Khurshid Backs Article 370 Abrogation: Congress leader Salman Khurshid has said that prosperity has returned to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and described the now-scrapped provision as a "major problem".

Khurshid, who is on a visit to visit to Indonesia as part of the government's diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor, said that Article 370 gave the impression that Kashmir was separate from the rest of India.

"Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called Article 370 of the Constitution, which somehow gave the impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article 370 was abrogated, and it was finally put to an end... Subsequently, there was an election in 65% participation in the election," he said while addressing the Indonesian think Tanks and Academia in Jakarta.

#WATCH | Jakarta, Indonesia | "Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution, which somehow gave an impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article… pic.twitter.com/wXcdkfWPlR

— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

He added, “Nobody can be told to give up a part of your country, Kashmir, and we are family together. Nobody can break up our family.”

Also Read: ‘Mitti Mein Mila Diya’: PM Modi Says He Fulfilled Promise After Pahalgam Attack in Bihar Rally

"There's an elected government in Kashmir today, and therefore for people to want to undo everything that has happened, the prosperity that has come to Kashmir..., says Salman Khurshid, Former Minister of External Affairs and Congress leader," he said.

The former external affairs minister is accompanying a multi-party delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha. The delegation is touring Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore to engage with foreign policymakers and brief them on India’s regional security initiatives, including Operation Sindoor.

Salman Khurshid emphasized the democratic gains following the abrogation, citing a 65% voter turnout in subsequent elections and the formation of an elected government in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “There was an election with 65 per cent participation. There's an elected government in Kashmir today,” he noted. “For people to want to undo everything that has happened, the prosperity that has come to Kashmir, it would not be advisable.”

Also Read: Inside AbRam Khan’s 12th Birthday Bash with Suhana and Gauri Khan at NMACC

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, leading one of the all-party delegations on Operation Sindoor global outreach mission, said that India has no interest in starting the war; however, "a terrorist act must not go unpunished."

He said that there will be a price to pay if terrorists carry out any attack on India, adding, "Let there be no doubt."

Tharoor made the remarks while addressing the Panama assembly President Dana Castaneda and some select parliamentarians.

During the delegation's visit, Panama assured India of its support for the "war against terror".

"When nothing was clearly being done, two weeks later, on the 7th of May, we attacked the known headquarters of terrorist bases inside Pakistan," he said.

Also Read: Trump Administration Considers Temporary 15% Tariffs for 150 Days Under Existing Law