New Delhi [India]: Despite the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday assured that the Amarnath Yatra, set to begin on July 3, will proceed smoothly and safely.
Speaking confidently, Goyal stated:
“People of India are capable and confident enough that soon tourism will resume there, Amarnath Yatra will be conducted successfully, and no one can derail Kashmir from the developmental path that it has taken.”
He also highlighted that Kashmir’s development and tourism industry will not be derailed by acts of terrorism.
Registrations for this year’s Shri Amarnath Yatra began on April 15 at 533 branches of PNB, SBI, J&K Bank, and Yes Bank across India. The yatra will take place via two routes—the Pahalgam track in Anantnag and the Baltal track in Ganderbal—and will conclude on August 9 (Raksha Bandhan).
On the diplomatic front, Goyal reiterated the government’s position against Pakistan, following the terror strike:
“We have already announced it (visa cancellation for Pakistani nationals) and they all must go…”
Calling Pakistan a “terrorist nation”, Goyal stressed that India has no interest in trade ties with it:
“India has no interest in having a trade relation with a terrorist nation like Pakistan… There will be no place in India where we will let terrorism rise…”
He emphasized the government’s firm stance:
“The loss caused to Pakistan is of no interest to India. What is the use of trading with a terrorist country like Pakistan?”
“As long as 140 crore Indians consider patriotism and nationalism their highest duty, such incidents will continue to trouble the nation.”
Condemning the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, Goyal expressed grief and determination to bring those responsible to justice.
“We will identify, trace and punish the terrorists and their backers. This is the resolve of every Indian… We faced the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and came back stronger. We gave a befitting reply to Pulwama attacks.”
Recalling the words of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said:
“I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society. This is the moment when the entire country comes together and expresses the anger and collective commitment of the nation to give a fitting response to those responsible for this.”
Offering his condolences, Goyal said:
“There is outrage across the country from Kargil to Kaniyakumari against the attack on India’s very fabric. We are all united in grief, pray for the departed and wish for quick recovery of those injured. We pray that strength is bestowed upon those families who are deeply impacted by this heinous and criminal act of terrorists.”
In response to the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar to assess the situation. The Central Government also convened an all-party meeting on Thursday, where Rahul Gandhi said:
“Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has fully supported the government in taking any action.”
Key decisions taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, include:
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) with Pakistan.
- Closure of the Integrated Attari Check Post.
- Expulsion of Pakistani High Commission officials, declared persona non grata.
- Cancellation of visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), with Pakistani nationals ordered to leave India within 48 hours.