Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday assured that the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3, will proceed smoothly despite the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to the media in the wake of the April 22 attack—which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen—Goyal emphasized that Kashmir’s path of development will not be derailed by terrorism. “The people of India are confident and capable. Tourism will resume soon, the Amarnath Yatra will be conducted successfully, and no force can stop Kashmir’s growth,” he asserted.
Registrations for the Shri Amarnath Yatra began on April 15 across 533 bank branches nationwide. The pilgrimage will take place via two routes—from Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal—and will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
Goyal also reiterated the government’s firm stance against terrorism, stating, “India has no interest in having trade relations with a terrorist nation like Pakistan.” He confirmed that visas for Pakistani nationals had been cancelled and those in India must leave.
“There is no place in India for terrorism to rise,” he said, adding that the government would identify and punish the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, along with their supporters. Goyal also invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, highlighting India’s long-standing commitment to fighting cross-border terrorism. “As long as 140 crore Indians hold patriotism as their highest duty, such acts will be met with firm resolve,” he declared.
He further drew parallels with previous terror attacks, such as 26/11 in Mumbai and the 2019 Pulwama bombing, saying India had always emerged stronger and more united in the face of terror.
Expressing condolences to the victims, Goyal said, “There is outrage across the country—from Kargil to Kaniyakumari. We stand united in grief and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
Following the attack, the Central government took a series of decisive actions: cancelling the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, declaring Pakistani High Commission officials persona non grata, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan takes irreversible steps to end support for cross-border terrorism.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar on Friday to assess the situation. Meanwhile, an all-party meeting convened by the government saw broad political consensus, with opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi voicing full support for any strong measures against terrorism.
