Cook stands by party line on rebel state

Robin Cook, Labour's foreign affairs spokesman, moved yesterday to defuse a row over his ill-chosen words last week implying support for Indian rule over Kashmir. He reiterated longstanding Labour policy which favours a solution acceptable to India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.

On Monday last week he told 500 Indian community leaders at Brent Town Hall, in north London, that "Kashmir is part of the Indian state ..." - the qualifications being lost in applause. His office insisted that, in context, it was clear he meant Kashmir was administered by India, and he went on to argue for a negotiated solution.

Mr Cook yesterday met four Labour MPs concerned with the issue. Clare Short, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, said after the meeting she was satisfied he had been "grossly misrepresented". She condemned the Indian government for trying to manipulate the incident. Ms Short's constituency includes a large Asian population, predominantly of Indian origin.

The kidnapping of British tourists by Kashmiri rebels has raised the profile of the province, disputed by India and Pakistan since independence in 1947. Nine motions to October's Labour conference advocate "self-determination" - a cause broadly supported by those of Pakistani origin and opposed by those of Indian origin. Ms Short said attempts to use the issue to stir communal divisions in Britain were "disgraceful".

Mr Cook's comments made front-page news in Indian newspapers in Britain and India. Yesterday he gave an interview to the Urdu newspaper, Daily Jang, mostly read by those of Pakistani origin, in which he repeated Labour's official policy.

His office last night reissued a statement from last October: "Labour does not propose any one solution to the problem. A solution is for the parties directly involved to find."