New Delhi: India on Thursday played down the usage of “Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir” by the United States in a statement issued during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying similar terms have been used in the past also. The explanation put out by the ministry seems unconvincing as in the past, India has objected to the use of “Indian-administered Kashmir” by countries at the UN and other international fora on the grounds that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is part of India—rejecting Pakistan’s claims over the territory. India’s consistent position that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India is well known,” Baglay said. On Wednesday, Congress leader P. Chidambaram had questioned how the Narendra Modi government could have been silent over the US describing Jammu and Kashmir as “Indian-administered” in an official statement. “US official statement used the phrase ‘Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir’.

Source: Mint June 29, 2017 07:46 UTC