.. A proposal was being mooted then that, like the Indian nation, Kashmir too should be divided into two. Bapu was absolutely certain no such sharing of the territory of that State cut into parcels should be made: nor could there be any question of inviting a third party to intervene, and perhaps carry out such a division ... The Mahatma said, "It is being said that we should invite someone to arbitrate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. How can this be?"

Gandhiji was ... emphatic in wanting the Kashmir issue to be settled bilaterally as a dispute strictly between India and Pakistan ... Gandhiji observed, "There is a large preponderance of Muslims in Kashmir. Jammu does not have very many Muslims. There should be no partitioning of the State. If we start the process again here, where will it end? It is enough, and more than enough, that India has been cut into two. The fact is that Pakistan has invaded Kashmir. Indian troops have gone there as defenders at the express invitation of the Maharaja of the State, and of Sheikh Abdullah, who is the real leader of the Kashmiri people. Muslims in their thousands are devoted to him. He is the Lion of Kashmir.

I shall advise Pakistan and India to sit together and decide this matter. If they are interested in a settlement, where is the need for an arbitrator?"