Islamabad, July 21: Ruling out war and asserting that Pakistan wants peace with India with "honour and dignity," Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said Islamabad wanted to resume a dialogue with New Delhi to settle all the outstanding disputes including the core issue of Kashmir. "We do not want a war with India, rather we want to live in peace with our neighbour. We want peace in the region with honour and dignity," Jamali said in an interview yesterday. "We would like to talk to India with an open mind with an understanding that New Delhi might convince us or we might convince them on the differences between the two countries," he said stressing the need to build confidence on both sides. He pointed out that Pakistan had taken several steps in response to the "Indian offer of friendship".
On the sensitive issue of Pakistan granting recognition to Israel, Jamali said his government would take the elected parliament and the opposition into confidence before making a decision.
"The recognition of Israel would be considered if the roadmap for peace in the Middle East succeeds. The plan calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005.
"An independent sovereign Palestinian state can pave the way to diplomatic ties with Israel," Jamali said.
When asked to comment on his working relationship with President Pervez Musharraf, he said, he had a "wonderful coordination" with Musharraf on all national, international and political issues.
Bureau Report