India: Pakistan's inclusion in ARF OK

India: Pakistan's inclusion in ARF OK

INDIA: India has dropped its objection to the admission of
Pakistan into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional
Forum (ARF), it was reported on Saturday

The move came after Islamabad gave an assurance that it would
not raise contentious bilateral issues, including Jammu and
Kashmir, at the meetings of the grouping, the news agency UNI
reported quoting official sources.

The ARF provides a security umbrella for 23 countries.

"Given Pakistan's assurance, our position on lifting the
moratorium on ARF membership and admission of Pakistan in the
body is likely to be flexible," official sources told UNI. --DPA