India Saturday asserted that demilitarisation or redeployment of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir was a sovereign decision of New Delhi and could not be dictated by any foreign government.
Responding to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's suggestion on demilitarisation of three districts of Jammu and Kashmir, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters, "Such decisions are based on our assessment of the security situation prevailing in any particular part of the country."
"As long as the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and in other parts of the country is adversely affected by the
phenomenon of cross-border terrorism and violence perpetrated by Pakistan-based terrorist groups, the government of India will fulfil its responsibility to safeguard lives and security of its citizens," Sarna said.
He also rejected Musharraf's proposal on self-governance in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the state already enjoyed autonomy.