This is the first time New Delhi has linked Pakistan to the violence in Kashmir that has killed nearly 50 people since June. Earlier India had said Pakistan-based militants were inciting trouble in Kashmir.
“Pakistan appears to have altered its strategy in influencing events in Jammu and Kashmir,” P. Chidambaram told the Parliament during a debate on the protests.
“It is possible that they believe that relying upon civilian unrest will pay them better dividends. But I am confident if we are able to win the hearts and minds of the people ... those designs can be foiled.”
There were fresh protests in several places in Kashmir on Friday. At least two people were wounded when police opened fire on thousands of protesters in Sopore town. The minister’s comments could be seen by Islamabad as a provocation, damaging prospects for improving ties that plummeted after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and derailed a peace process with Pakistan.
So far, the latest violence in Kashmir has appeared to have little impact on relations.
The two sides last held peace talks in July and those ended in acrimony over the attacks, even though the dialogue itself is seen as a tentative step toward improving ties.
In June, India blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants for the Mumbai attacks, but Kashmiri separatists say protests by crowds are generally spontaneous.
