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DH News Service

NEW DELHI, Aug 7 2001

Prime Minister Vajpayee today reiterated India's readiness to carry forward the dialogue with Pakistan hoping that Islamabad would reconsider its stand on cross-border terrorism by not describing it as a "freedom struggle" and reining in the militants. "We are ready to have talks on Jammu and Kashmir. For you (Pakistan) it is a piece of land. But Kashmir is a part of our life," Mr. Vajpayee said in the Lok Sabha while replying to a debate on the Agra Summit. In his 40-minute speech, the prime minister blamed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the breakdown of talks by insisting on having a one-point agenda of Kashmir and refusing to incorporate references to terrorism and Shimla and Lahore agreements in the joint draft document.

‘Jehad’ unacceptable Mr Vajpayee hoped that Islamabad would reconsider its stand on terming cross-border terrorism as "freedom struggle" and "jehad" (holy war) in Jammu and Kashmir and exercise its influence to rein in the militants. India has also repeatedly cautioned Pakistan that terrorism was a double-edged weapon, prime minister said referring to some recent incidents in Pakistan.This had led Gen Musharraf to say that if it is within his control, he will shoot the terrorists. "So, terrorism cannot be encouraged in any manner," Mr Vajpayee said. Describing the massacre of 13 innocent civilians in Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir, as "naked demonstration of terrorism," Mr Vajpayee said there could be no improvement in Indo-Pak ties if such killings continued. He said Indian security forces were strong enough to deal with any threat to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and related to "our emotions" and "is part of our life...we will not allow Pakistan to break India," Mr Vajpayee said. The prime minister said during the Agra Summit, he had raised the issue of one-third of Kashmir which was under illegal occupation of Pakistan, as also a portion of it which Islamabad had gifted to China. "Under what authority did Pakistan give away that portion of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to China?" he asked and referred to Gen Musharraf's remarks that he would take back the portion from China once the Kashmir issue is resolved.

Musharraf’s mandate?

On Pakistan's demand for a plebiscite in Kashmir, Mr Vajpayee asked the Pakistan president whether he took the people’s mandate while assuming the reins of power. The prime minister rebutted charges of Congress Deputy Leader Madhavrao Scindia that the Centre was in a state of "confusion" at the summit and it went to the Agra summit without preparations. He said New Delhi had twice put forward agendas to the Pakistan side which it declined to accept then. Terrorism was mentioned in the Lahore Declaration but after the change of regime in Pakistan, the scenario became different," he said.The prime minister said that Islamabad also failed to respond to the confidence building measures including easing of visa restriction announced by New Delhi in the run-up to the summit. On the reporting by the electronic media during the summit, Mr Vajpaye conceded that it had an impact on public opinion. He said during such summits, statements could not be given frequently to the media and there could not also be so-called leakage of information to the press.

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