Beijing, Nov 04: Asserting that Pakistan will "deal" with India on the basis of "sovereign equality," President Pervez Musharraf today accused it of being not sincere to take up the Kashmir issue which he said cannot be allowed to be "sidelined." "We want to develop peaceful relations with India. We want to have a composite dialogue with them," Musharraf, who is on a three-day official visit to China, said in a speech to students and teachers of the prestigious Peking University here.

Maintaining that Kashmir "cannot be allowed to be sidelined," he, however, said that India lacked "the sincerity to take up the issue." Speaking a day after Chinese President Hu Jintao appealed for "reconciliation" between Pakistan and India, Musharraf claimed longstanding conflicts and disputes, in particular Palestine and Kashmir, remain "potentially explosive."

"The two disputes are a legacy of colonialism. These disputes must be resolved on the basis of respect for the wishes of the people involved," he said, indirectly referring to his demand for a plebiscite in Kashmir. He asserted that Pakistan would "deal with India on the basis of sovereign equality" and said, "We cannot be coerced and we will guard our honour and dignity very zealously."

Bureau Report