Islamabad, June 7: Proposing direct talks between the leadership of India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday called for revival of composite dialogue between the two neighbours “to resolve the issues including Jammu and Kashmir, water and terrorism.”
“The suspension of the India-Pakistan composite dialogue in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks allowed non-state actors to succeed in dictating their agenda,” Gilani said.
Addressing a function at the Army’s Command and Staff College at Quetta, Gilani said Pakistan seeks negotiated and peaceful resolution of all disputes with India. He maintained that Indian leadership has also agreed to initiate composite dialogue on all controversial issues between the two countries.
“Pakistan wants peaceful relations with the neighbouring countries including India, Afghanistan and Iran. India should sit with us to initiate dialogue to resolve all important issues including Jammu and Kashmir, water dispute and terrorism,” Gilani said.
Gilani said his government believed that “peace is the only course” that can improve the lives of the people of South Asia. He also said it was “unfortunate that the leaderships of both India and Pakistan, who have immense stakes in the future, have been meeting on the sidelines of regional and multilateral forums instead of holding direct talks”.
He said it was Pakistan’s consistent viewpoint to “de-link the peace process from terrorism”.
Gilani said Pakistan expects the US to adopt non-discrimination in civil nuclear deal with Islamabad.
“We have concluded dialogue with the US government on strategic issues,” he said adding Pakistan values long term strategic relations with the US.
He mentioned that Pakistan China bilateral relations were strong and would continue to grow.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST