Search the Internet          Tips

Kashmir omission not deliberate: Sushma

"The controversy created in media circles in Pakistan is based on a wrong interpretation of my comments," said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sushma Swaraj.

By way of explanation, Swaraj said, "I was commenting on the positive aspects of the talks. But they thought that I had deliberately omitted all reference to Jammu and Kashmir, which was never my intention."

The minister, who found herself in the centre of a storm following her comments on television, pointed out that right from day one of the Summit, the Indian side has been reiterating its readiness to talk on all aspects, including Jammu and Kashmir, while it was Pakistan that had been emphasising solely on Kashmir.

"When a second one on one meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Musharraf followed the delegation-level talks, it indicated that there was an understanding and agreement on discussing all outstanding issues," Swaraj clarified. "This, by itself, was a very very positive aspect, and this is what I was commenting on. Nowhere did I say that there were no discussions on Jammu and Kashmir -- after all, that is precisely why he (President Musharraf) has come here for."

The minister said that both leaders had again got together for a lengthy one on one meeting this morning. Simultaneously, External Affairs and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh had met with his Pakistani counterpart Abdus Sattar.

"Right now, the delegations of both countries are meeting to finalise various matters," she said.

Asked whether she had the locus standi to comment on talks between the two leaders the minister, visibly miffed, said, "If I as I&B minister don't have the authority, then who does? It is not only Pakistan that has an I&B minister!"

A reporter commented that she would be blamed if the Summit failed, to which Swaraj responded with a terse 'Are, yeh bhi koi bat hai?!' (What kind of talk is this?)

The minister said she could not at this point confirm whether the two leaders would address a joint press conference. However, she said that the Pakistan media covering the Agra Summit had been alerted that Musharraf would address them before flying to Jaipur this evening.

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report