India downplays rally on Kashmir in Britain

India Friday downplayed a planned rally by a pro-Pakistan group on the Kashmir issue in Britain, saying the European nation had assured that only the two Asian countries can resolve the matter.

The "million march" rally is planned in London Oct 26 to highlight the Kashmir issue.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said: "Pluralist democracies sometimes have platforms that can be utilised by groups which are opposed to pluralism."

He added that forces inimical to India-Britain relations may utilise opportunities of this sort.

He told the media here: "India is a country of more than a billion, and a million march doesn't overawe us."

He said: "It is possible that forces inimical to India-Britain relations may utilise opportunities of this sort and it was in this context that we discussed with Britain and we were reassured repeatedly that the British view is very clear and that it is for India and Pakistan to resolve any issue that they have by themselves," he said.

On a resolution being passed by Pakistan's parliament Thursday against the alleged ceasefire violations by India, he said it was aimed at the domestic audience there and India opposed the option of involvement of any third party in the matter.

The spokesperson said: "Resolutions passed by parliaments are...internalisation processes. Therefore, why should we have any problem with any internalisation process in any country? This is for that country to take a view on."

Akbaruddin said: "As regards any issue of international nature, we have given our views on that. We do not see any option of any third party being involved in this. Therefore, as far as internationalisation is concerned, we are against it. As far as internalisation is concerned, this is for Pakistan to sort out itself."

To another question on information on the blast in West Bengal's Burdwan, as was sought by the Bangladesh government, he said the ministry has requested the agencies concerned to collect information and was awaiting a report in this regard.

He added once the ministry receives the report, it will be factored-in in the response to the Bangladesh government.