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J&K is non-negotiable, says Jaswant

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Barely two days before General Pervez Musharaf is to land in New Delhi, India has toughened its posture, sending clear signals to the Pakistan President not to be optimistic about carrying through his agenda of discussing just Kashmir.

Foreign and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh reiterated that India would demand that Pakistan end cross-border terrorism and expressed his disappointment over the invitation given to All Party Hurriyat Conference leaders for a one-to-one meeting with General Musharraf.

The only noticeable change in India's stance today was the readiness expressed by Singh to discuss a possible no-war treaty proposed by Pakistan. But he said, it should be comprehensive including cross-border terrorism and proxy war.

Foreign and defence minister Jaswant Singh told a press conference that Kashmir is 'not the core issue, but the core of India's nationhood'.

On the inclusion of the home minister, the commerce minister and the finance minister in the Indian delegation for Agra, Singh said it 'demonstrates India's priorities'. The Pakistan president is being accompanied only by his foreign minister Abdul Sattar.

"Terrorism is very much an issue," Singh said, arguing that the 'infliction of this is a continuation and dilution' of the sanctity of the border between the two nations.

He said the government is not embarrassed about the National Democratic Alliance's decision to boycott the Pakistan high commission tea party for Musharraf.

He said that India is 'desirious of engaging Pakistan for confidence building measures in both conventional and nuclear field'.

When pointed out that Pakistan was not very enthusiastic about India's unilateral steps to ease visa norms for Pak citizens, he said, "It is possible that Pakistan may have a different thinking."

He said the government wanted to assist people to travel between the two countries.

He refused to buy General Musharraf's argument that CBMs are a 'peripheral issue', and argued that 'I cannot subscribe to the issue that people are peripheral'.

He said that there is a lot of improvement in the situation at the Line of Control in Kashmir in the past six months and India wanted to firm it up through DGMO talks.

On the contentious issue of prisoners of war, he said since 1971 the efforts have been continuing and 'time and again we have taken up the issue with the Government of Pakistan'.

During the Lahore summit both the prime ministers had agreed to have a ministerial team to examine the issue.

"Unfortunately that government is not there," he said.

Asserting that India will 'continue to combat terrorism', he said that India would not be influenced by Pakistan's stance that it is unable to control extremist elements.

"It is our expectation that Pakistan will recognise and address the issue," he said.

On Pakistan issuing an invitation to the Hurriyat leaders he said that the government had made its position clear.

"I am disappointed by it, " he added.

Replying to a question as whether the government had any plans of boycotting the 'High Tea' he said, "The government will observe all due protocol in this regard."

When asked if India would discuss Jammu and Kashmir, he said India has 'never shied away from discussing Kashmir with Pakistan'.

When pointed out that Pakistan believes Shimla and Lahore are not relevant any more, he said, "Shimla and Lahore are agreements between two governments and not individuals."

When he was asked about Musharaf's proposal for a no-war pact between the two countries, he pointed out that it was India which first proposed a no war pact between the two countries.

"We have welcomed the statement. We have suggested a comprehensive agreement. A no-war pact that does not take into account cross-border terrorism and proxy war do not serve any purpose," he said.

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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