NEW DELHI, Dec 16: The Pakistani prisoners of war taken by Indian forces in former East Pakistan should have been traded for a pro-Delhi solution to the Kashmir dispute, BJP leader L.K. Advani said on Saturday.

In a statement to mark the 35th anniversary of the creation of Bangladesh, Mr Advani recalled that the defeat of the Pakistani army had resulted in the capture of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers and civilians.

“Had the Indian government of the day used this advantage properly in the summit talks with Pakistan in Simla in July 1972, the Kashmir issue could have been solved once and for all. Sadly, India frittered away a historic opportunity,” Mr Advani said.Mr Advani, whose party frequently uses alleged illegal immigration from Bangladesh to whip up communal frenzy among Assam’s Hindus, conveyed “fraternal greetings” to the people of Bangladesh.