India rejects third party mediation in J and K

New Delhi, Apr 20 (UNI) India today rejected any third party mediation for resolving the Jammu and Kashmir problem and said it was discussing with Pakistan all issues under the Composite Dialogue Process.

Reacting to media reports that Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul al-Aziz was trying to ''mediate'' between India and Pakistan to resolve their differences on various issues, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said there was no scope for mediation by any third party.

''We have seen the reports...India and Pakistan are discussing all issues under the Composite Dialogue Process and there is no scope for mediation by any third party,'' the spokesman said in reply to a question.

Reports in a section of the media said yesterday that King Abdullah had ''set in motion'' efforts to mediate between India and Pakistan.

''We hope that he will succeed in his efforts,'' Saudi Crown Prince Sultan, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was quoted as having said.

UNI AT/RB KN1827