Dialogue can solve all issues, including Kashmir: Pak envoy

All outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, including Kashmir, should be peacefully resolved through dialogue to usher in peace and stability in South Asia, Pakistan high commissioner Sohail Mahmood said on Friday.

Mahmood’s remarks on the occasion of Pakistan Day came against the backdrop of a diplomatic spat between the two sides over the harassment of diplomats in New Delhi and Islamabad. The envoy was recalled to Pakistan for consultations on the issue and returned on Thursday.

He spoke about improving bilateral ties both at a flag hoisting ceremony at the Pakistani mission and a formal reception on Friday evening, at which India was represented by minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Mahmood hoped there will be space for diplomacy and efforts to begin a dialogue to help the two sides resolve their differences.

“We have always sought a solution of all outstanding disputes through dialogue and we believe that all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, if they are resolved through dialogue, it will usher in an era of peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia,” he added.

At the reception in the evening, Mahmood noted that 2018 marks 70 years of independence for India and Pakistan, which should work for “honourable peace, equal security and shared prosperity”. “At the time of independence, our founding fathers had envisioned an amicable relationship between the two countries. The relations, however, evolved on a different trajectory,” he said. HTC