J&K must be resolved by India and Pakistan: UK

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September 21, 2005 17:24 IST

Britain on Wednesday opposed any outside intervention in Kashmir, saying the issue could only be resolved through composite dialogue between India and Pakistan.

"Kashmir is very much a problem between India and Pakistan. It is an issue that has to be resolved by both the countries by composite dialogue," British High Commissioner to India Michael Arthur told reporters after launching a tri-city education initiative for Punjab at the British library in Chandigarh.

He also opposed any outside party's intervention in resolving the Kashmir issue. Stressing on the need to continue the fight against terrorism, he said, "Fight against terrorism tops the agenda of both UK and India."

Earlier, talking about the education initiative, he said educational courses have become felxible in Britian of late. "Recently rules have also been changed as per which students studying in Britian can work for half time that is 20 hours a week during the study term and 40 hours a week during the vacation period," he said adding, even visa norms for students have been simplified by the UK.

Arthur said around 16,000 Indians were doing different study courses in UK in 2005. Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's education in Britain, he said, "The Indian PM is a most distinguished Indian with an education background back in Britian."

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