Jammu and Kashmir status: FO slams Indian minister’s remarks
Salman Khurshid had lambasted proposals of US intervention yesterday.
Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
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.
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.