LONDON: India will refuse any offer of British mediation on the Kashmir issue which may be discussed during Premier John Major’s visit to New Delhi this week.

India has clarified that Kashmir is ‘a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan to be resolved through negotiations under the 1972Shimla agreement and it does not want third party intervening, his commission sources here said.

But a Whitehall lobby has nurtured an ambition since the partition that London has a special obligation to play some role in resolving the longstanding dispute because of its historical links with the sub-continent.

Observers here say this perception does enjoy backing of some Tory party leaders and has found guarded expression only in the statements of the British government.

In the recent past British ministers have told Parliament that the government has expressed keenness to mediate over the Kashmir issue if both India and Pakistan Major, during his talks with Premier P.V. Narasimha Rao, is likely to renew this offer, sources here said.

Pakistan has sought Bniain’s mediation on Kashmir so as to undermine India’s unity and territorial integrity because of New Delhi’s position that Jammu and Kashmir is and has always been an integral part of India.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged Major to intervene and help resolve the Kashmir issue while reminding British leaders of its special obligation because of London’s historic links with the subcontinent.

Similar suggestions have been made from time to time by some pro-Pakistan British MPs in the House of Commons while the government has been more than willing to offer British mediation.

When asked while support Britain can give India on Kashmir, Bnush undersecretary of state for foreign affairs Lennox Boyd had told Parliament that any intervention by the Brush must be with the agreement on both sides.

Diplomats here feel though Britain never challenged India’s position on Kashmir, its leaders attempt to place Pakistan and India on an equal footing on the issue has sent wrong signals to New Delhi.

A high level Indian delegation to the UK last February drew Britain’s attention to Pakistan’s attempt to make it an international issue and expressed concern over efforts of the British leaders to stake “balance” between the two nations.

Foreign secretary Douglas Hurd’s statement sometime back that increased violence in Kashmir acts as are minder that the position of Kashmir cannot be placed indefinitely on a “back burner” had caused considerable concern in the Indian circles.

He had told Parliament some months back that settlement on Kashmir must not only be based on the Shimla accord but on the political process in Kashmir also.

Western observers here feel New Delhi had fallen into Pakistan’s trap by approaching the five permanent Security Council members in February during the threatened march by the JKLF across the Line of Control.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 29, 1993