New Delhi, October 9
UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has dropped references to Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as "independent entities" in its 2010 report and initiated a review of designating countries and territories.

"In matters of this nature, FAO, as a specialised agency of the UN system, follows the principles and practice of the UN, specifically its Cartographic Section. The territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are documented by the UN as disputed ones," Gavin Wall, FAO representative in India said.

Notably, the categorisation had come as a surprise to many here. In its report, FAO has shown J-K and Arunachal Pradesh as separate countries along with India. The two Indian states figured in country grouping for East Asia.

Wall said, "A review of FAO's system for designating country and regional data, which is based on the designations of countries and territories as established by the UN, has been immediately initiated in consultation with the UN with a view to promptly making any further adjustments as may be necessary." — PTI