In a sharp reaction to the Indian premiers comments, the FO said in a statement that Modi's comments on having "somehow resolved the Kashmir issue" were not just false and misleading but also representative of how oblivious the Indian leadership had become to ground realities in the disputed territory.
"Instead of making delusional statements about having resolved the dispute unilaterally, the Indian leadership must deliver on their commitments to the Kashmiris and to the world and ensure that the people of Kashmir are accorded their inalienable right to self-determination," the FO said in its statement.
The Indian prime minister had reportedly claimed to have resolved the issue while addressing a public meeting in poll-bound Gujarat. "One person was unable to resolve the Kashmir issue," Modi said in a not-so-subtle reference to former Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He contrasted the imbroglio with noted Congress leader Sardar Patel's deft handling of the merger of princely states into independent India. Modi said he had been able to "resolve" the issue by following in Patel's footsteps.