Author: PTI
Publication: The Hindu
Date: December 19, 2003
URL: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00119193010.htm
Rejecting the so-called third option
of an independent Kashmir, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha has
asserted that there was no question of secession of Jammu and Kashmir or
any other part from the Indian Union.
Emphasising that Jammu and Kashmir
is an integral part of India, he told Friday Times that "I have no doubt
in my mind that people (of the State) are clearly aware that their interests
are best served by their partaking of the benefits of India's rapid economic
development and her emergence on the world stage as a major power".
"There is no question of secession
of J&K or any other part of India from the Indian Union," he said.
Observing that Kashmiri people have
braved bullets of terrorists to participate overwhelmingly in the Assembly
elections in October, 2002, Sinha said the economy of the state was picking
up and tourism had revived in a big way.
On Pakistan's oft-repeated stand
that Kashmir is a core issue with India, he said "our differences over
the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir are a symptom of the problems between
India and Pakistan."
"The real problem is Pakistan's
compulsive hostility towards India," he said, observing there was "no problem
or issue between India and Pakistan that cannot be resolved bilaterally
and with goodwill."
