Islamabad, Nov 21: Rejecting Pakistan's demand that UN resolutions be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, India has said it first went to the world body not because the state was a disputed territory but because of Pakistani aggression. In an interview to a private Pakistani TV channel broadcast today, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said, "You are right in saying that it was India which took the question of Pakistan aggression on Jammu and Kashmir to UN. You are also right in saying that we suggested that there should be a plebiscite."

Kashmir had acceded legally to India and "after that we went to UN, not because Kashmir is a disputed territory, but to protest the aggression by Pakistan," Sinha told the TV channel.

"At that time Pakistan had not agreed to the condition that it should withdraw it forces. These talks went for several years but the issue was not resolved."
Sinha said in view of this India believed Simla agreement constituted the basis for settlement of Kashmri issue.
"Simla agreement says representatives of both the countries will meet to find a final solution to Jammu and Kashmir. This outlines the process for final settlement," he said, adding Pakistan neglects the agreement and speaks only of UN resolutions.

Asked about Pakistan's demand, in response to India's latest peace gesture, that UN documents be used by passengers travelling in the proposed Srinagar-Muzzafarabad bus, Sinha shot back, "Pakistan-based Kashmiris travel between India and Pakistan as well as abroad with documents issued by Pakistan. Some of them are coming to India and some going abroad. Where does the UN come in between?"
Bureau Report