We do not have any doubt about India's approach on Kashmir: Russian Ambassador

Russia is not eager to know what is happening in Kashmir and those having doubts over New Delhi's policy for the region as well as the situation in the Valley can visit it, Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev said on Friday.

His assertion came during a press conference when asked why he was not part of a group of 15 foreign envoys including the US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster who visited Jammu and Kashmir last week.

On China's failed attempt to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, the Russian envoy said Moscow has never been in favour of taking it to the global body as it is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan.

On the visit of envoys to Jammu and Kashmir, he said Russia was not interested in knowing what was happening in the union territory as it does not have any doubt over India's approach for the region.

"I do not feel that there was a reason for me to travel there. India's decision on J and K is its internal matter which belonged to the constitutional space of India.

"It is not an issue in our bilateral ties. Those who believe this is an issue, those who are concerned about the situation in Kashmir, those who have doubt about Indian policy in Kashmir can travel to Kashmir. They could see for themselves. We never had any doubt," he said.

At the same time, Kudashev said he did not receive an official invitation for the trip.

"My view is that Russian Ambassador to India should not be associated with any kind of activities which would put in doubt about India's internal policies. This is not in our habit," he said.

The government had taken a group of 15 envoys to Jammu and Kashmir to help them see for themselves the situation in the union territory. The envoys interacted with select political representatives, civil society members as well as security officials.

Asked whether he would like to visit Kashmir if invited, he replied in a lighter vein: "Yes, I would."