India encouraged by Kashmir offer
India has given a positive response to Pakistan’s surprise offer to drop a demand for a referendum in Kashmir. India’s foreign minister said his government would always be ready to accept any change in Pakistan’s view. It was India’s first response to Thursday’s announcement by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Islamabad’s position for the last half-century has been that a referendum should decide if the disputed territory becomes part of Pakistan or India. Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee held a meeting of his cabinet on Friday to discuss Mr Musharraf’s offer – which has been welcomed internationally. Full Story