NEW DELHI: GA letter from the Russian President Boris Yeltsin to the Prime Minister Narasimha Rao expressing himself in favor of a just solution of the Kashmir problem typifies the wide-spread international interest in the coming India-Pakistan dialogue
Despites his domestic pre-occupations Yeltsin found time to convey to India his Government’s latest thinking on Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations. He was happy Yeltsin said at the decision of India and Pakistan to resume their contacts. He was confident that the talks would yield positive results and thus contribute to peace and stability in the region
The very fact of Yeltsin writing to the Prime Minister on Kashmir was Significant. The External Affairs Ministry officials were tight-lipped in regard to the communications but diplomatic sources interpreted its contents to mean that Russia had moved closer to the U.S. position on Kashmir.
As late as the first week of November Russia was forthright in expressing support to India. Russia it was stated regarded Kashmir as an internal problem of India which needed to be resolved on the basis of the Shimla agreement without interference by a third party This point was made by a Spokesman of the Russian Embassy while dispelling the impression of a coordinated move by Washington and Moscow created on the hand by the remarks of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Ms. Robin Raphel and by the timing of the Russian Government statement on the Hazrathal episode on the other. According to the Russian Embassy spokesman their Government’s stand on Kashmir differed from that of the U.S and there ‘was no question of a joint initiative with the U.S. on South Asia (contrary to the hints thrown by Ms.Raphell In any discussions with the U.S. Moscow it was pointed out would stick to its perception.
Going by the interpretation of diplomatic sources the tenor of Yeltsin’s letter differed from the firm support to India conveyed during his visit here in January India must keep its integrity and keep united and we support is policy on Kashmir. Truth is on the side of India and we intend to Support and defend it was with this unqualified public statement that he concluded his India visit. The reference to a just solution now and other related sentiments conveyed by Moscow are considered out of in tune with the spirit of the earlier Supportive statements
Yeltsin’s letter comes in the midst of several comments and messages from abroad: Only last week the U.S. State Department while welcoming India Pakistan dialogue covering a number of issues; including Kashmir expressed the hope that it would begin a new process to reduce tensions in the region and be followed by talks between other senior officials of the two countries
This will not be the first time that the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan J.N. Dixit and Shahrayar Khan will be holding bilateral discussions but the January 1-3 meeting has assumed special significance for various reasons. One it marks the resumption of the dialogue that had remained suspended for nearly 15 months two of the U.S. played a leading role in bringing the two countries together through public Statements as well as through unpublicized diplomatic contracts.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 14, 1994
