The Hindu : Front Page : India resents Pakistan’s interference

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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India resents Pakistan’s interference

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Reacting to statements by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his official spokesperson on Jammu and Kashmir, India has said the observations “constitute clear interference in the internal affairs of an integral part of India.”

The Centre and the State government are taking all steps necessary to restore law and order in this part of the country. Such statements by leaders of a foreign country do not help the situation, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here on Tuesday. He was responding to questions on statements by the Pakistani authorities.

Mr. Qureshi on Monday said the action by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir was “excessive” and the force used was “unwarranted.” He said Pakistan was “deeply concerned” over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and called for immediate steps to end the violence.

“It is important that an enabling environment, free of violence, is created to sustain the peace process and address the long-standing dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson had attributed the economic blockade to “extremist elements.”

Mr. Sarna said such statements also did not contribute to creating the atmosphere necessary for the dialogue process between India and Pakistan to move forward.

Senate resolution

Last week, India took umbrage at a resolution passed by the Pakistan Senate, which expressed concern over the “economic blockade imposed by Hindu extremists against the Muslims of Jammu and the Valley of Kashmir.” India termed the resolution “gross interference” in its internal affairs and advised the Senate to focus on issues where it had a “locus standi.”

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