ISLAMABAD: It is now fairly clear that Russia no longer regards Kashmir as an integral part of India, Russian Federations Vice President Alexander Ruts koi, who last week paid a four day visit to Pakistan, told a Press conference here that the Russian side expressed the hope that Kashmir issue would be resolved peacefully through negotiations Between Pakistan and India on the basis of international agreements.
The two countries signed a joint communiqué on the visit of the Russian leader but did not explain the meaning of international agreements” which, it appears, disappointed Indian diplomats.
The erstwhile Soviet Union had consistently been supporting India’s position on the Kashmir question and had in fact voted in favour of Delhi at several international for a during the past four decades. There has been a significant shift in the Russian position.
India has been emphasizing the Shimla agreement between India and Pakistan as the basis of resolving the Kashmir question, But Pakistan insists on implementation of the U.N. resolution of 1948 calling for a free vote to decide on the future of Kashmir. Russian and Pakistan now speak of “international agreements” as the basis of the resolution. Evidently, Russia has moved close to Rawalpindi on the issue.
That the two countries have found vast areas of agreement is indicated by the fact that the senior Russian dignitary undertook a visit to Pakistan; the latter lost no time in extending recognition to the Russian regime. Russians also invited Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister to visit Moscow which has been accepted by Pakistan leaders.
The joint communiqué also supports the view that nuclear free zone should be created in south East Asia, position strongly opposed by Delhi. China also) support this Moscow Rawalpindi stand.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 10, 1992
