Islamabad, Aug 19: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri told India's new High Comissioner Shiv Shankar Menon today that bilateral talks must be held as soon as possible to sustain the current momentum for peace. While the foreign minister appreciated diplomatic contacts that had contributed to building expectations and hope, he warned it would be difficult to sustain that momentum "without initiating a composite dialogue at the official level as soon as possible," a foreign ministry statement said. Kasuri's comments were made during a visit by Menon, the first Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan in more than a year. A peace process has been inching forward since Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee offered a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan on April 18.


Kasuri told Menon "that given the political will on both sides, it would be possible for Pakistan and India to improve relations which would contribute towards a better future for the people of the two countries."

He said both sides had to address all issues including the territorial dispute over Kashmir, the Himalayan border region divided between the rivals and claimed in full by both.
Bureau Report