World | India
Islamabad says eager to resolve Kashmir issue
Pakistan's foreign minister said on Friday his government was eager to find a solution to the vexed Kashmir issue at next month's peace talks.
- AP
- Published: 20:37 June 27, 2008
- Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee (left) greets his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi before their meeting in New Delhi on Friday. Qureshi is on a four-day visit to India.
- Image Credit: Reuters
New Delhi: Pakistan's foreign minister said on Friday his government was eager to find a solution to the vexed Kashmir issue at next month's peace talks.
Negotiating teams from India and Pakistan will meet on July 21 for a new round of peace talks, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced after meeting with Qureshi, who is in India on a four-day visit. It was their second meeting since a new government took power in Pakistan in February.
The July talks, part of a peace process between the nuclear armed South Asian rivals that began in 2004, will include discussions on the future of Kashmir, their largest stumbling block, Qureshi said.
"They will be discussing a number of issues, and Jammu and Kashmir and peace and security are issues that will be focussed on during the talks," said Qureshi.
Expectations of progress on Kashmir have been dampened by the sidelining of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who was instrumental in pushing for a solution to the Kashmir dispute.
Musharraf dominated Pakistan for eight years but gave up his post as army chief last year and has taken a back seat since the new government took power.
Musharraf had previously proposed various ideas for resolving the Kashmir dispute, including a possible joint administration of the region, but India reacted cautiously.
A cease-fire line currently serves as a de facto border in the disputed territory.
Qureshi insisted the new, democratically elected dispensation in Islamabad was equally committed to finding a solution.
"I have come representing the coalition of political parties that feels that a positive movement toward peace and security and normalisation is in our mutual interest," he said, adding that he had come to India with "a very positive agenda, with a very positive frame of mind".
Qureshi urged Mukherjee "to give serious thought to outstanding disputes that need our consideration".
The talks come amid some of the largest demonstrations in recent years in the state.
Expected to meet PM
The ministers said the talks would also focus on a military standoff at the high-altitude Siachen Glacier, terrorism and drug trafficking and economic cooperation.
"It will be a great loss if we miss this opportunity. I think a positive movement will give confidence and revitalise the faith of the people in the process," said Qureshi.
Qureshi was also expected to meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders during his three-day trip to India.
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