news details |
|
|
| India not discussing with Pak territorial status of J&K | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Jul 22: India is not discussing with Pakistan the territorial status of Jammu and Kashmir, but how to improve the lives of people in both the countries and the issues of cross-border terrorism, infiltration and ceasefire violations, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said here.
This implies that India is discussing with Pakistan issues 'related' to Jammu and Kshmir and not the ''issue'' of Jammu and Kashmir.
''With Pakistan, it is not a T-20 match...You don't win or lose...Since Kargil happened, we have brought them back to the fundamental issue of terrorism...The issue is now terrorism,'' he said.
Ruling out resumption of the Composite Dialogue Process until Pakistan took action against the perpetrators of 26/11 and dismantled terrorist infrastructure, he said Pakistan wanted to start the CDP.
On the issue of Balochistan being intruduced in the Joint Statement given after talks between the Prime Ministers pif thetwo countries at Sharm-el-Sheikh, Mr Menon said Pakistan had been saying it for a long time.
''We agreed and have said we have nothing to hide.
But action against terrorism should not stop. The intent is clear we are not going to budge,'' he added.
Replying to questions after an address to Members of Parliament on 'India's Foreign Policy : Challenges and Opportunities' the Foreign Secretary said India could however, discuss the status of the Indian territory.
He also said resumption of the Composite Dialogue Process with Pakistan was linked to the issue of terrorism.
''No government of India can discuss the status of Indian territory. Who will have the political mandate to change the boundaries,'' he asked.
The Foreign Secretary said what was discussed with Pakistan regarding how to make the Line of Control (LoC) ''fluid'' for more trade and people-to-people exchanges.
He said two things are discussed--''how to improve people's lives and what Pakistan does i.e. terrorism, infiltration, ceasefire violations etc.'' He said India was committed to discussing Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan but not its status.
''At no stage inany way have we accepted that Jammu and Kashmir is disputed...We have to remind us contantly that,'' the Foreign Secretary said in response to a question.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
