Replying to a question over Mandela's references to Kashmir as an area of conflict, C H Qomoyi, first secretary, political divison of the South African high commission in Delhi said during his subsequent meeting with Vajpayee, Mbeki had only clarified the context in which the remarks were made. ``But, he had not apologised or regretted to Mandela's reference to Kashmir,'' he said.

Qomoyi along with two other diplomats were currently in Colombo to interact with Lankan officials in the wake of recent Sri Lankan government's complaints about growing LTTE activities in South Africa. Saying that Mandela's remarks had caused big stir in India, Qomoyi added some people even believed that India hadover reacted on this issue.