London, Dec 10: Britain has said that a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem which reflects the views of the Kashmiri people could only be found through dialogue between India and Pakistan.
Maintaining that violence has cost thousands of lives in Kashmir, British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affair Mike O'Brien said, "It is ultimately for India and Pakistan to resolve any differences over Kashmir, and it is right that the UK, US and international partners do all they can to help.
"The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and I have been closely involved in this process."
He said "a lasting settlement, which reflects the view of the Kashmiri people, can only be achieved through dialogue and it is our duty to promote and encourage that dialogue."
In an article in 'The Nation', a London-based Asian newspaper, he also referred to issues of Middle East and Iraq.
"I have always believed in the principle of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side. And I have worked hard to ensure continued support for the Palestinian Authority in this time of great hardship for many ordinary Palestinians," he said.
Bureau Report
