I am glad to have this opportunity of explaining to the House the course of events that led to our intervention in Kashmir with the aid of Armed Forces, and the attitude of the Government of India to the grave problems that have arisen in the State.

The House is aware that on the lapse of Crown Paramountcy on the 15th August this year, Kashmir did not accede to either Dominion. We were of course vitally interested in the decision that the State would take. Kashmir, because of her geographical position with her frontiers with three countries—namely, the Soviet Union, China and Afghanistan—is intimately connected with the security and international contacts of India. Economically also Kashmir is intimately related to India. The caravan trade routes from Central Asia to India pass through t

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