NEW DELHI, June 25: The head of a visiting delegation of the European Union on Friday described all of Kashmir as disputed, marking a partial rowing back from reported recent claim by a senior official that Jammu and Kashmir was part of India.
The purported 'correction' came just two days ahead of the talks on precisely that subject between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, a process that the United States was quoted on Friday as saying it was watching closely.
"All parts of Kashmir are disputed" and involvement of people of the region in resolving the issue is a must for a "lasting" solution, head of the EU delegation John Cushnahan told reporters in New Delhi after a three-day visit to Srinagar.
He was replying to the question: Which part of Kashmir was disputed? Last week, EU Ambassador to India Francisco Da Camaragomes was quoted as saying in Srinagar that EU treated "Kashmir as any other part of India." The statement triggered criticism from pro-freedom leaders and Pakistan.
India and Pakistan have said they would approach the June 27-28 talks between Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and his Indian counterpart Shashank with sincerity.
The US Embassy in Delhi made available the text of remarks made by US Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs on Tuesday before the House Committee on International Relations in which Kashmir and the arriving talks featured prominently.
"The recent agreement between India and Pakistan to pursue a wide-ranging composite dialogue with the objective of reaching a peaceful settlement on all bilateral issues, including Kashmir, is a real breakthrough," Ms Rocca said.
"We are encouraged by the confidence-building measures agreed upon in recent months, and hope they will be implemented quickly. India is also conducting a dialogue with the Kashmiri All Parties Hurriyat Conference. We will continue to watch closely and encourage positive steps. Our public diplomacy funds are used to help facilitate deeper ties and understanding," she said.
Ms Rocca said that because of the realities in South Asia, the United States was focussed on preventing 'actions' that would undermine the global non-proliferation regime and regional stability. "Thus we are working to prevent an open ended nuclear and missile arms race in the region," she said.
