February 23, 2006	Thursday	Muharram 24, 1427

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NEW DELHI, Feb 22: India said on Wednesday it was ready to reopen its consulate in Karachi at a short notice but feared it may have to wait till Pakistan finds a suitable place to start simultaneous operations in Mumbai.

The process could take several months, possibly a year, official sources said.

Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed also told parliament that Indian troops would not withdraw from the Jammu and Kashmir before “terrorist” violence abated there.

During the foreign secretary-level meeting in June 2004, India and Pakistan agreed, in principle, to reopen the consulates-general in Mumbai and Karachi.

An agreement was reached during President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s visit to India in April 2005 to reopen them by the end of 2005.

However, Mr Ahamed said: “Pakistan High Commission has not been able to find premises to rent so far. India is ready to open its consulate-general in Karachi any time but Pakistan is insisting on simultaneous opening of the consulates-general in Mumbai and Karachi.”

About demilitarization or redeployment of security forces in Kashmir, he said it was a sovereign decision of the government of India and could not be dictated by any foreign government.

“Such decisions are based on our assessment of the security situation prevailing in any particular part of the country,” Mr Ahamed said.

“As long as the security situation in the Jammu and Kashmir and, indeed, in other parts of the country is adversely affected by the phenomenon of cross-border terrorism and violence perpetrated by Pakistan-based terrorist groups, the government of India will fulfill its responsibility to safeguard the lives and security of its citizens.”