Autonomy Only Solution To J & K Issue: Us Forum

A non-government organisation in the United States has, for the first time, recommended autonomy for Kashmir within the Indian Union as the only possible solution for the vexed issue.

Calling on Pakistan to end its support to terrorists in Kashmir, the Council on Foreign Relations in a report published recently, said that Pakistan has armed, trained and harboured separatists in the state.

Conducted by an independent task force consisting of Richard N Hass of the Brookings Institute and Gideon Rose, the councils project director, the report also conceded that India has to take into account not only the threat from Pakistan, but also from China.

The report acknowledged the importance of the Shimla agreement of 1972 by carrying the text of the treaty in the report. It was expected to be discussed by the Indian and Pakistani envoys.