'There Is Still Hope'

In order to find ways to put an end to cross border terrorism and toevolve a way out to various other vexing issues between India and Pakistan, ourPrime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee held talks with the President ofPakistan, General Musharraf at the Agra Summit. The General Council of DMKwarmly appreciates our Hon. Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee for hispeace initiatives and right decisions in this regard.

Both India and Pakistan with their backs to each other came with a open mindto the negotiation table. There is nothing wrong in holding a summit aiming atpeace but it is not right to look for a sudden change in Pakistan's attitude andapproach. The fault lies in the misplaced expectations but not in the holding oftalks.

As for the issues that were vexing us all for more than 50 years now, wecannot expect a sound solution all within a day. Leaders of both the nationshave expressed their determination to improve the lot of the people of theirrespective countries.

The Agra Summit helped us to identify several other pending issues other thanKashmir and threw open an opportunity. We have highlighted the point thatcreating internal disturbances in India will not be in the interest of both thecountries. We must look back to analyse and identify the advantages that hadaccrued due to the holding of Agra Summit.

After so many years, we saw a Pakistani leader paying floral tributes at thesamadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. The economic development in the lives of the peopleof both the countries have to be ensured. As far as our Prime Minister ShriVajpayee is concerned, he strongly believed in building friendly relationsbetween both India and Pakistan. It may be true that an accord might not havebeen reached at the summit. There is still hope as it has been accepted thattalks would continue.

I would like to reiterate that Kashmir is an integral and inseparable part ofIndia. It is the duty of all of us to uphold the same.