The Hindu : Will PM's speech spell out the specifics on J&K?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 15, 2002

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Will PM's speech spell out the specifics on J&K?

By K. K. Katyal

NEW DELHI AUG. 14. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's address on the Independence Day tomorrow, according to highly-placed sources, will contain a pointed concrete reference to Jammu and Kashmir, both in the context of the internal situation in the State and of the external problem.

That, in any case, goes without saying but the main point of interest is whether he will spell out specifics for the near future. The focus on the State elections is considered a certainty. Of late, the Prime Minister has been reiterating the Government's resolve to ensure a free and fair poll. As for the foreign observers, the Government's position is as follows: as in the past 50 years, New Delhi sees no role for observers, designated by foreign agencies and Governments for monitoring and certifying the conduct of the poll in Jammu and Kashmir and, of course, anywhere else in the country. But there will be no bar on the visit of foreign journalists and members of the Delhi-based diplomatic mission to the State. In addition, the State, it is clarified, will not be out of bounds for any individual who comes here on a valid visa.

The Government felt encouraged by the endorsement of the election process in the State by the United States and others in the West — as was evident during the recent talks here of the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, the British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, and the French Foreign Minister. Indian interlocutors drew their attention to the importance of Pakistan restraining the `jehadis' from trying to scuttle the electoral exercise. These dignitaries would have spoken to the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, but so far India has not received any firm assurance even indirectly. That Pakistan stuck to its tough line against elections in J&K was evident from Gen. Musharraf's address today — and this evoked a sharp reaction here. As for New Delhi's view of the internal situation in the State, ruling combine sources refer to last week's statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani — seen as an indirect invitation to separatist leaders for dialogue on any relevant issue. On his part, Mr. Vajpayee may indicate New Delhi's preparedness for dialogue with the elected representatives of the State.

Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations had been the major theme of Mr. Vajpayee's Independence Day addresses in the recent past. For instance, last year he assured the nation of the Government's resolve to ensure the defeat of Pakistan's strategy, based on cross-border terrorism, while adding that India would continue to engage Islamabad in a dialogue.

That was a month after the Agra summit and a few weeks before September 11 (which turned the terrorist violence into a major concern of the international community). In 2000, too, Mr. Vajpayee dwelt on Pakistan's strategy on Kashmir — emphasising that "borders could not be redrawn either in the name of religion or on the strength of the sword''.

The Indian stand on cross-border terrorism is, by now, well known. While noting that, political and diplomatic observers wonder whether the Prime Minister would go beyond this subject and moot new ideas for the solution of the problem in pursuance of his "musings'' on the New Year day, 2000. "In our search for a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem, both in its external and internal dimensions,'' he said then, "We shall not traverse solely on the beaten track of the past. Rather we shall be bold and innovative designers of a future architecture of peace and prosperity for the entire South Asian region.''

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