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Advani suggests South Asian confederation

In a significant remark in the run-up to the Vajpayee-Musharraf summit, Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani has suggested the formation of a Confederation of South Asian States, including India and Pakistan, even as he asserted that Jammu & Kashmir is integral to India's unity.

"I am confident that Vajpayee's initiative will create a conducive atmosphere in the direction of the formation of a Confederation of India, Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and Nepal in the days ahead," Advani said while addressing the centenary celebrations of the late Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in New Delhi.

He noted that the world was witnessing sweeping changes and arch rivals such as the two Germanys had now reunited.

The Sangh Parivar, to which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party belongs, had originally propounded the concept of 'Akhand Bharat' or united India, which would comprise the whole of south Asia, including Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Advani, however, said he disagreed with the Western perception of Kashmir as a dispute between India and Pakistan.

"We do not see Kashmir in the context of Pakistan. For us, it is inseparably linked to India's unity," he said.

Advani warned that the concept of self-determination as espoused by separatist groups would prove detrimental more to the interests of Pakistan as it had diverse ethnic and linguistic groups within its boundaries.

PTI

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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