NEW DELHI-; President S,D. Sharma on Feb.21 lashed out at Pakistan for adversely affecting the bilateral relations between the two countries by growing stridency of its anti-India utterances.

Addressing the joint session of the two Houses of Parliament, President Sharma made a pointed reference to Pakistan. While praising cordial relations with other In the Subversion in J&K and anti-India activities worldwide seriously hampered our efforts at normalizing relations.

He made an oblique reference to Postures adopted by some United States’ officials which encouraged Pakistan He noted that US response to India’s economic liberalization policies had been very positive.

The President said we look forward to working with United States towards mutual understanding, including on those issues where such understanding needs enhancement. This will reflect the vibrant democratic and secular ideals of our two countries,

Amid thumping of benches by members, President asserted: Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable part of India and we shall foil any attempt to destabilize it either from across the border or from any other quarter.

The President observed The Ayodhya issue is the most convincing demonstration in recent times of the danger inherent in mixing communalism and polities. It is of utmost importance to correct this aberration and keep both religion and politics in their legitimate domains.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 25, 1994