Polls vindicate stand: PM

As the results of the J-K elections began pouring in, Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, here for the third India-European Union Summit, issued a...

As the results of the J-K elections began pouring in, Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, here for the third India-European Union Summit, issued a statement affirming that the winner in the elections was India8217;s democracy.

8216;8216;Both before and during the course of the elections to the J-K Assembly, I had stated that irrespective of who wins, the vote would be for India8217;s unity, integrity and democracy, it would be a vote for Kashmiriyat and it would be a vote against Pak-sponsored terrorism and Pakistan8217;s anti-India propaganda,8217;8217; he said.

8216;8216;Our stand has been resoundingly vindicated both by people8217;s enthusiastic participation and by the outcome of the polls,8217;8217; Vajpayee added. Meanwhile, the summit ended with perceptible headway on economic cooperation but new differences on the approach to the Kashmir issue. A joint statement indulged in generalities on combating terrorism but skirted any reference to cross-border terrorism by Pakistan.

At a joint media briefing with Prime Minister Vajpayee, the Prime Minister of Denmark 8212; the current EU president 8212; Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the EU had sent a clear signal to India for restraint.

8216;8216;We urge India to open a direct dialogue with Pakistan and to take appropriate confidence-building measures to lower tension,8217;8217; he added. Rasmussen acknowledged the two sides had failed to agree on a text on Kashmir which led to the omission of the issue from the joint statement.

At the joint media briefing, Vajpayee was categorical that India wanted to de-escalate but would do so only if Pakistan stopped cross-border terrorism. 8216;8216;In the recent elections candidates were killed, voters threatened and even security forces made a target. De-escalation requires a congenial atmosphere,8217;8217; he stressed.

Meanwhile, sources said EU chief Rasmussen8217;s abrasive style of telling India to show restraint and open a direct dialogue with Pakistan had evoked strong Indian protest.

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Sources in the Foreign Ministry say the EU is now preparing to make amends. The soft stand towards Pakistan had something to do with elections in that country, they believe.