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India again rejects J&K as 'core' issue

India on Wednesday repeated its rejection of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's contention that Jammu & Kashmir is the core issue in relations between the two countries.

Reacting to General Musharraf's comment that he would raise the Kashmir issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the sidelines of a United Nations conference next month, external affairs ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao remarked, "Relationships can't be based on one single issue."

Vajpayee and Gen Musharraf are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the 56th session of the General Assembly, to be held in New York from September 24.

"We reject the notion of centrality of a core issue," Rao told reporters.

The two leaders had last met in Agra on July 15-16 when they held a summit meeting.

Rao said India had begun work on implementing the confidence-building measures announced by Vajpayee in the run-up to the Agra summit even though Pakistan had failed to respond to the move.

The CBMs range from scholarships for Pakistani students to relaxation in the visa regime at select checkpoints along the India-Pakistan border.

Indo-Asian News Service

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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