India not responding positively on restarting talks: Pak

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, July 21 (PTI) Pakistan Wednesday accused India
of not responding positively to its efforts to restart the
dialogue process and contended that it would go the "extra
mile" if New Delhi takes steps in this regard.
A week after his talks with Indian External Affairs
Minister S M Krishna ended in sharp differences, Pakistan
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the two countries
should not become "hostage to history" and should take "bold
decisions" for ushering in peace in the region.
"It goes without saying that neither peace nor stability
can be achieved in isolation. They need strong partnerships
and willingness to build bridges and walk the talk on the high
road to peace and equal security," he said at a seminar here.
Qureshi, who was speaking on the topic 'India's Cold
Start Military Doctrine', said the subject of discussion was
"ironic" as he had recently hosted Krishna for talks "as part
of efforts to recommence the stalled dialogue in pursuit of
our endeavours for durable peace in the region, albeit without
a corresponding positive response."
Pakistan, on its part, is prepared to go the "extra mile"
if India takes steps to resume the peace process, he insisted.
Qureshi's talks with Krishna here on July 15 ended on an
acrimonious note with sharp differences coming out in the open
at their joint press conference.
Pakistan wanted to discuss Kashmir issue but India was
not ready as it insisted on visible action against terrorism,
specifically in the Mumbai attacks case, before other topics
could be talked about.
Qureshi said Pakistan wants to discuss all outstanding
issues, including the "core issue" of Kashmir so that they can
be resolved peacefully.
"Pakistan remains firmly committed to the objective of
peace and stability in South Asia," he said.
Qureshi said Pakistan is pursuing a three-pronged
approach with India to achieve durable peace and strategic
stability in South Asia.
"This includes a peaceful resolution of all outstanding
disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir;
strategic restraint and conventional balance; and close
cooperation for the socio-economic development and welfare of
our peoples," he said. (MORE) PTI RHL
MYR


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