§ Q16. Dr. Grayasked the Prime Minister what discussions he had with Mr. Kosygin regarding further mediation in the Kashmir dispute.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Dr. GrayIs my right hon. Friend aware that some months have passed since Tashkent? Does not he think that this would be a suitable occasion for some British-Soviet initiative at some helpful moment?
§ The Prime MinisterThirteen months have passed since Tashkent. I think that the view of the Soviet Government on this—although we did not discuss it in our recent talks—would be that they secured action at Tashkent on what was then the most urgent question, that of a cease-fire. The longer-term, more difficult problems make it extremely difficult for any Government to take the initiative, and my hon. Friend will realise the difficulties caused lately by the fact that the Indian general election was being held. It would not have been the best time in which to raise these issues.