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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh on Saturday said the forthcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be an acid test for Pakistan.
Speaking to rediff.com in New Delhi, the minister said Pakistan's commitment to fight global terrorism would be tested during elections in Kashmir.
"Pakistan has given a commitment to the international community that it would not support cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and help the world community in its fight against global terrorism. We would see whether it stands by its commitment," Singh said.
He denied there was any link between the announcement of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and US Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to India and Pakistan.
"The elections were due in the state anyway. They were scheduled to be held in September/October. So they are being held. Powell's visit to India and Pakistan has nothing to do with the announcement of the poll dates," he said.
Asked if India would accept mediation by a third country in the Kashmir dispute as is being made out in some news reports originating from the US, Singh said India has made it clear time and again that there is no question of India accepting mediation from any quarter.
"I have seen the full text of the interview given by Colin Powell to a newsmagazine and nowhere does he say that USA would like to mediate. If someone can help in creating a conducive atmosphere [for talks between India and Pakistan] then he is welcome," he added.
He criticised the separatists in Kashmir for not participating in the elections. "The All Party Hurriyat Conference says it represents the people of Kashmir. This was a good opportunity for them to prove their representative character," he added.
Asked what would happen to the Centre's talks with the state government on the autonomy issue now that the model code of conduct has come into force, Singh said elections have nothing to do with the talks on autonomy.
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