23:18 August 16
Akbaruddin shakes hands with Pak reporters when asked about dialogue
Responding to a Pakistani journalist who asked when India would engage in talks with Pakistan, Syed Akbaruddin said, "Let me start by coming across to you and shaking hands."
He then went across and shook hands with all the Pakistani reporters present there.
22:41 August 16
Stop terror to start talks: India tells Pak
Responding to a question why India refused to engage in talks with Pakistan, Akbaruddin said, "There are normal diplomatic ways for countries to deal with each other. But using terror to try and push goals is not the way normal states behave in. No democracy will accept talks when terror thrives. Stop terror to start talks."
21:51 August 16
Article 370 India's internal matter: Akbaruddin after UNSC meet
New Delhi:Shortly after the United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting on Kashmir, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UNSC Syed Akbarrudin, said that Article 370 of the Constitution was India's internal matter.
Speaking to reporters, Akbaruddin said, "Our national position was and remains that matter related to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is entirely an internal matter of India."
"These have no external ramifications, the recent decisions taken by the government of India and our legislative bodies are intended to ensure that good governance is promoted, social economic development is enhanced for our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh," he added.
In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Akbaruddin said, "We note that there were some who tried to project an alarmist approach to the situation which is far from the ground realities. Of particular concern is that one state is using terminology of 'jihad' against and promoting violence in India including by their leaders."