NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister P. V.NarasimhaRao on Nov.1 emphatically declared that Kashmir will remain an integral part of India and dismissed as mischievous the recent American statement questioning the state’s ac cession.
Without naming the United States, Rao made an apparent reference to a recent statement by a senior U.S. official that washing ton did not recognize the instrument of Kashmir’s accession to India and termed this as “pinpricks and minor mischief.
“Kashmir forever will remain a part of India and no one should have any doubts,” Rao said ad dressing a election rally in Sultanpur in West Delhi.
Rao said, “I don’t have to reply to anyone, I have no desire to reply it is not worth replying and some things are better answered when not commented upon.” Premier Rao said he was reiterating the government police that Kashmir was an integral part of India and no force can take it away.
Rao said India’s neighbors were trying to create problems for the country by pushing in arms and providing training.
“However there effort will be wasted and it is better they don’t try,” he said.
In an apparent reference to the power former Soviet Union, the Prime Minister said a country which was bigger than us now stood divided but “we will keep together whatever the cost may be,” he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 5, 1993
