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Mandela assuages India

South African President Nelson Mandela today said his remarks on Jammu and Kashmir at the Non-Aligned summit yesterday were not aimed at hurting India's sentiments and should be seen in the general context of the international political and security scenario.

''The reference should not be seen in isolation and was in general context of the international political and security scenario,'' a spokesman for the South African government quoting Mandela said.

Mandela made the clarification in a bid to assuage ruffled feathers following strong protests from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the state banquet hosted by the South African leader last night.

Mandela, in his opening remarks at the start of the 12th NAM Summit, said that the Kashmir issue remained a ''concern for all of us'' and it should be resolved by peaceful means.

UNI

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