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Jammu and Kashmir Is Integral Part of India: Vajpayee
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the issue of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir will figure prominently in the forthcoming summit between leaders of both countries, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Tuesday.
"There is no change in our stand that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India...We will definitely discuss the issue of one-third of Kashmir which is under Pakistan occupation during the dialogue," Vajpayee was quoted as saying in the southern coastal city of Mumbai on Tuesday.
Vajpayee, who received a knee operation in a Mumbai hospital and was discharged on Tuesday morning, held a press conference in the hospital before flying back to Delhi.
His remarks on Jammu and Kashmir echoed earlier statements by Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and the External Affairs Ministry.
Asked about the possible dates for the India-Pakistan summit, Vajpayee said a decision would be made in a day or two.
Earlier media reports said the summit is to be held between July 14 and 16. But Indian official sources said no decision could be made before the prime minister returns to office.
Calling himself "an optimist", Vajpayee said he was hopeful that the upcoming summit would help create a proper climate for resolving various issues and paving the way for closer cooperation between New Delhi and Islamabad, the PTI reported.
India wants to have "tension-free relations" with Pakistan, the prime minister added.
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