The Hindu : National : “Territorial integrity non-negotiable”

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Monday, Aug 25, 2008
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“Territorial integrity non-negotiable”

New Delhi: Rejecting calls for the separation of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union government has asserted that the country’s territorial integrity is “non-negotiable” and the borders cannot be “altered or redrawn.”

The government also ridiculed the Hurriyat Conference leaders for claiming to be the representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying it had no justification as the separatists have never tested their popularity in elections.

“Any such talk [of secession] is preposterous and in conflict with the Constitution and law of the land,” Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said here.

“The country’s borders cannot be altered or redrawn and Constitution cannot be rewritten,” he said, adding “territorial integrity is non-negotiable.”

His comment came in the backdrop of calls for secession of Jammu and Kashmir made by separatist leaders as well as a few prominent people like author Arundhati Roy.

Dialogue

Mr. Sharma said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had maintained that all issues could be resolved through dialogue.

On whether talks would be held with the Hurriyat, the Minister said the government was ready to talk to “all those who are willing and positive.”

National interest

Mr. Sharma also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of “keeping partisan political agenda above national interest” and “supporting communal polarisation which is hurtful to the national interest.”

“When we have an unsettled situation, it is expected of all responsible leaders and mainstream political parties to work together in the interest of the nation,” he said. — PTI

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