Don’t shy away from talks on Kashmir dispute, India told

Pakistan has reiterated its offer for dialogue to India, asking it not to shy away from negotiations on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“Our only dispute is Kashmir and it can only be resolved through dialogue. Pakistan has never shied away from talks and has always called for peaceful resolution to all outstanding disputes, including the internationally recognised dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

“The principle of negotiations stated that anyone who runs away has a weak position on the negotiating table. The way we have been articulating our position shows that we have a position of strength. Let me reiterate that there is no change in Pakistan’s principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised dispute and needs to be resolved in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions that call for a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices,” he added.

Pakistan’s latest calls for dialogue echoes with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement during his visit to Sri Lanka, where he stated that he approached India immediately after coming in power and “explained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the way forward for the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue”.

“I didn’t succeed but I am optimistic that eventually sense will prevail. The only way the subcontinent can tackle poverty is by improving trade relations,” Khan had said.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was in line with Islamabad’s consistent position.

The DGMO-level hotline contact between India and Pakistan was focused on discussions over the establishment mechanisms of hotline contact on consistent bases. —

Pakistan has never shied away from talks and has always called for peaceful resolution to all outstanding disputes

Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri Foreign Office spokesman