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New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on August 15 reacted sharply to Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zaffarullah Khan Jamali's reference of self-determination to Kashmiris in his Independence Day speech and said it was high time for Islamabad to realise that they should forget the issue of Jammu and Kashmir once and for all.

This was stated by BJP president Venkaih Naidu at the flag-hoisting ceremony at the party headquarters in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in reaction to Jamali's statement on August 14 during the flag-hoisting function in Islamabad.

Jamali, while favouring friendly and cordial ties with India, had said the objective can't be realised till Kashmiris were granted their right of self-determination.

"Pakistan should remember that it will not get even an inch of Jammu and Kashmir...we can hold talks about the return of one-third of Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan," Naidu said.

"It is high time for Pakistan to realise that they should forget Kashmir forever and try to live as a good neighbouring country," he said, adding India wanted to live in peace and harmony with its neighbours.

"We have already increased the people-to-people contact with Pakistan and after due consideration by government, the political contact may also start," Naidu said.

PTI