The Hindu : U.K. hails withdrawal of troops

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 18, 2002

International

International

U.K. hails withdrawal of troops

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON OCT. 17. Britain today welcomed India's decision to withdraw its troops from the border and Pakistan's offer to do the same.

A Foreign Office spokesman called them "positive moves" and a step towards reduction of tension in the region. "We hope it would lead to full and substantive dialogue between the two countries," he said.

India-watchers said the move was "long overdue" and insisted that it should be followed by resumption of talks. They also expected India to restore normal diplomatic relations with Islamabad by allowing its High Commissioner to return to New Delhi. British media reports from India sought to link the decision to the recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir, widely seen as a vindication of the Indian stand that the Kashmiris did not support the so-called "liberation struggle".

The Guardian said: "India hopes the new coalition government in Kashmir will gradually erode support for the separatist revolt by engaging disillusioned Kashmiris".

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