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Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Sunday asserted the assembly election results in Jammu and Kashmir will 'prove' a turning point in India's efforts to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue.
Advani also said the government would overcome cross-border terrorism in J&K with the active support of people like it did in Punjab.
He was speaking at press conference on the occasion of the completion of three years of the National Democratic Alliance government.
Political parties are presently engaged in weighing their gains and losses, he observed. "But from the government's point of view the real winner in this election has been India and its democracy and the actual loser has been the Inter-Services Intelligence and the terrorist tanzeems it has nurtured."
"If there is one development that simultaneously showcases our commitment to national security, national unity and integrity and democracy, it is the successful completion of the election in J&K," Advani said.
Mentioning India's success in isolating Pakistan in the international community and its victory in the Kargil war, Advani said India's efforts to strengthen its national security were illustrated by courageous initiatives to make it a nuclear weapons state and its uncompromising handling of the post-Pokharan fallout.
Following up on the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee, the government carried out a comprehensive review of the National Security System. Many of its recommendations such as the Integrated Defence Staff, Defence Procurement Board and Joint Tri-Service Andaman and Nicobar Command have already been implemented, he said.
The NDA government has increased the focus on India's internal security in an unprecedented manner, he said.
This is demonstrated by the enactment of the Prevention of Terrorism Act,2002, Rs 1000 crore annual police modernisation fund, modernisation of central paramilitary forces, the peace process in the northeast and the soon-to-be-launched Multipurpose National Identity Cards system, he said. "Our security forces have turned the heat on Pak-supported terrorist groups in a relentless manner with significant gains on the ground," he added.
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