The Hague: Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Nov 8, 2004) virtually rejected Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's proposal for demilitarisation of regions identified on both sides of the Line of Control for resolving the Kashmir issue.

"J and K is an integral part of India and it is not a matter for discussion with outside agencies," Singh said at a joint press conference in The Hague with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende after the India-EU Summit when asked by a Pakistani journalist about "demilitarisation" of J and K.

The Prime Minister said he did not consider Musharraf's recent formulation for finding a solution to the Kashmir "as a proposal". Singh had yesterday (Nov 7, 2004) termed Musharraf's suggestion as "off the cuff" remarks.

"Well, if we receive it formally as a proposal, then we will react in an appropriate manner," he said.

Musharraf had suggested at an Iftar party that India and Pakistan should consider the option of identifying "some regions" of Kashmir on both sides of LoC, demilitarise them and grant them the status of independence or joint control or under the UN.