Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. PHOTO: FILE
The Foreign Office on Monday expressed disappointment over comments made by the Indian External Affairs Minister about his country’s oft-stated policy of treating Jammu and Kashmir as a bilateral issue.
A day earlier Salman Khurshid, the Indian minister in question, had said that India “will not accept any intervention on an issue that is entirely accepted in the Simla Agreement as a bilateral issue.”
FO spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said on Monday stated that the Kashmir dispute is the core issue that remains unresolved between the two countries and said it was unfortunate that the Indian leadership continues to refer to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India, when the reality is clearly otherwise. As a member of the United Nations, India should not overlook or undermine the numerous UN Security Council resolutions on this issue, the spokesman said. While bilateral agreements may exist, the sanctity of the UN resolutions cannot be understated, he added.
The Kashmir dispute remains a fundamental component of the bilateral dialogue process and resolution of this dispute is vital for maintaining peace and security in the region. India’s continued intransigence over this issue is counterproductive and is unhelpful in the efforts to resolve this dispute, Pakistan spokesman said responding to Khurshid’s latest comments.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2013.
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hahaha... so people in two countries have totally contrasting views and each believes theirs is the truth. yeah... fight on like two fools and the world watch this war of fools.
@np hahah really thats what your indian govt told you hahha wake up and see the reality no one in the kashmir wants to be with india. and there is not just one resolution Mr Np from 1947 till 1990 there are couples of resolution i remember one resolution was tabled when your so called great army started massacre in kashmir. so please update your knowledge rather than denying ohhh sorry forgot india always in the mode of denial.
@saad: Many resolutions? There is just one resolution that was passed when Indian PM Jawharlal Nehru went to UN. The first statement in that resolution is that Pakistani army should vacate Kashmir.
@Dr.A.K.Tewari sorry to spoil your dream but according to world map so called J&K the integral part of india is called disputed territory and UN have passed many resolution against indian illegal occupation of J&K with backing of Permanent UN council members and non permanent members so no one in the world consider J&K the integral part of india.
"The Kashmir dispute remains a fundamental component of the bilateral dialogue process and resolution of this dispute is vital for maintaining peace and security in the region"
have you been able to maintain peace and security in most part of your country