New Delhi, October 1
Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna today termed as ‘unwarranted’ the reference made about Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in his address at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) last week.

“Our principled position on the (J&K) issue has been consistent and is well-known. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen and reaffirmed their destiny repeatedly through India’s well-established democratic processes. We wish to make it abundantly clear that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India,” he said participating in the general debate of the 67th session of the UNGA.

Krishna also emphasised that India had embarked on a resumed dialogue process with Pakistan and advocated a step-by-step approach for normalising relations with Islamabad.

Zardari, in his address to the world body on September 26, had yet again sought to internationalise the Kashmir issue, saying that his country would continue to support the cause of Kashmiris and their right to self-determination.

He had also stated that Kashmir remained a symbol of failures of the United Nations system.