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Shahid K Abbas in New Delhi
India on Thursday agreed with United States Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill's assessment that 48 per cent of the electorate of Jammu & Kashmir had exercised its franchise despite threats from terrorists and violence in the state, and praised the voters for the extraordinary turnout in the first phase on September 16.
"We have all along been saying that infiltration along the Line of Control is continuing to take place and the elements that are infiltrating into the valley continue to receive support and sustenance from Pakistan, with no change in that situation," an external affairs ministry spokesperson told reporters.
Ruling out the possibility of resumption of talks between India and Pakistan, she said, "Pledges and commitments made by Pakistan remain unfulfilled while support for violence and terrorist activities continues."
She, however, added, "Once we see a satisfactory and wholesale commitment made by Pakistan being fulfilled, then that may be a launching pad [to the talks]."
She said the run-up to the J&K election witnessed the assassination of candidates, who believed in the democratic process, and Pakistan's behaviour during that crucial time said a lot about its intentions.
Blackwill has expressed optimism about the next phase of election in J&K. He said, "This is remarkable. We hope it [the trend] continues. If there is less violence, there will be more turnout."
The ambassador also termed some media reports of rigging 'exaggerated'.
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