NEW DELHI: Appealing to parties, including Congress, to speak with one voice on the issues of Balochistan and Gilgit, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has said all should avoid making any statement which hurts India’s interests.

Naidu’s remarks came in response to a question on Congress Leader Salman Khurshid’s statement in which he attacked the Prime Minister for raking up the issue of Balochistan in his Independence Day address.

“As far as international issues are concerned India should speak with one voice. But unfortunately Congress party is not speaking with one voice within the party also. There is a statement from Salman Khurshid, there is a statement by Kapil Sibal, subsequently a statement given by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. “I only appeal to the main opposition party please bear with the country. Try to understand the implications. We must all speak with one voice. Our neighbor is aiding, habitating (sic) and funding terrorism in the country continuously. It can’t go on like this,” Naidu said at the sidelines of an event here. “I appeal to all domestic parties do not make any such statements which hurts India,” he added. Khurshid had yesterday accused Modi of “ruining” India’s case on Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) by raking up the issue of Balochistan in his Independence Day address. But later Congress distanced itself from the remarks and asked the government to raise the issue of “atrocities in Balochistan and PoK” in bilaterals with Pakistan as also at international forums. Taking a strong note of Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, Naidu said that Kashmir is integral part of India. “Government of India and state government are capable of handling Kashmir. There is an elected government in the state,” he said. “They are trying to give us lectures about Kashmir, that’s why we have told them what is happening in Balochistan, PoK and Gilgit. Let them focus about human rights violation masscare and atrocities there,” Naidu said.—PTI