SRINAGAR, Aug 20: Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Karra on Thursday said any third-party intervention in the Kashmir issue would reflect a “failure” of the Central Government, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.
Karra was responding to remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who visited Srinagar on Wednesday and said Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India.
“Whether it is the US ambassador, the US secretary, or any diplomat in the world who says today that J&K is an integral part of India, they haven’t said anything out of the ordinary. It has always been an integral part of India and the whole world knows this,” Karra told reporters.
He alleged that the “confusion” surrounding the Kashmir issue was the result of what he termed the “failed policy” of the present government.
Karra also referred to US involvement during Operation Sindoor, saying the extent of American intervention reflected the Centre’s policy failures.
“Our policy is that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, was an integral part of India, and will remain an integral part of India,” he said.
Referring to the Shimla Agreement, Karra said India and Pakistan are the relevant parties to bilateral issues between the two countries.
“The Congress does not recognise any third-party intervention because that has been our stated policy ever since,” he said, adding that any such intervention or offer would be a consequence of the “failed policy of the present dispensation”.
Karra’s remarks came a day after Pakistan summoned US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker and lodged a “strong demarche” over Gor’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir.
Gor, during a joint media briefing with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had also said the US would reconsider its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir in view of steps taken by the Centre and the J&K Government to improve safety in the region.
