International

Kashmir one of the core issues: Sushma
By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 10. The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Sushma Swaraj, has said India's position on Kashmir is that it is one of the core issues and that ``if it was made a core issue then we would go to the core of the core issue, then there would be no end to it.''

She said this in an interview to The Dawn during her stay here in connection with the SAARC Information Ministers' conference.

Rejecting the suggestion that hawks in the Indian Government derailed the Agra summit, she said that by describing her as one of the `hawks' in the Cabinet, the media was giving her credit that she did not deserve. ``There are no hawks or doves in the Indian Cabinet and the decisions are taken by consensus,'' she said.

She denied that her visit to Pakistan, even though to attend the SAARC meet, in any way signalled a ``test of domestic waters'' by the Government for de-escalation with Pakistan. She said there was no widespread opposition in India against the steps taken by New Delhi against Islamabad.

``As a matter of fact, it is a popular move, because you see people in general like their Governments to ensure protection of life and property of their citizens.''

Ms. Swaraj rejected allegations that the BJP-led Government deployed the Army at the borders to win the elections. ``No Government could be so irresponsible as to deploy its forces on the border or create a war-like situation to win elections.''

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