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"We do not need any certificate from outsiders," Advani said. "J&K is an inseparable part of India."
He added that the Election Commission had been requested to not only hold a free and fair poll, but ensure that it is seen as such.
Winding up a short-duration discussion on Jammu & Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha, Advani said the Centre was prepared to devolve more powers not only to this, but to all other states in the Union to strengthen federalism, but ruled out a return to the pre-1953 status in Srinagar.
Sharing the sentiments of the members, who wanted the government to ensure a free and fair election in the state, Advani said he had a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday morning and the latter had assured him that he would take every step to this end.
Abdullah also said that all citizens, non-governmental organisations and diplomatic personnel could go to the state to observe the poll process.
On American Secretary of State Colin Powell's remark that Kashmir is now on the international agenda, Advani said Kashmir is an internal problem of the country and if at all there is an international dimension to it, it is cross-border terrorism.
To members' concern on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh demanding trifurcation of the state, Advani said the government was totally opposed to the idea. But, he said, there is a need to devolve more powers to Jammu and Ladakh, just as the state government is demanding more powers from the Centre.
On cross-border terrorism, he said it was a matter of concern that it was still continuing. "No one should have any misconception that it has stopped," he said.
Advani said there was no indication as yet from Islamabad that it was prepared to leave the path of state-sponsored terrorism and cross-border terrorism. The government, he said, is not convinced by the American assurance that Pakistan is taking all steps to end infiltration.
"Cross-border terrorism is our problem and not the problem of the international community," he said. Though several countries had expressed concern about terrorism, it was related to September 11. But of late, he said, there had been some change in the international community's perception of and attitude towards terrorism.
Elaborating on the proxy war that has been continuing for more than two decades, Advani said, "We need to be resolute in tackling this war. We will achieve victory in this covert war just as we emerged victorious in the 1971 war."
The deputy prime minister said it was not enough to stop infiltration from across the border. It is more important that Pakistan gives up cross-border terrorism as a policy and dismantles the infrastructure set up for this purpose.
On devolution of powers to Jammu & Kashmir, he said senior Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Arun Jaitley is holding talks with various political parties and groups in the state and hoped the outcome would be positive.
He said the government was willing to discuss the devolution of powers, but there should be sincerity on the part of the state government. It should, he said, specify the areas in which it wants autonomy, but added that there is no going back to the pre-1953 status.
"There can be no compromise on the sovereignty and unity of the country," he asserted.
PTI
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