ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: Foreign Minister Mian Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri on Wednesday said the prospects of durable peace in South Asia would not improve without the just resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Pakistan, he said, had offered resumption of dialogue to India for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and other issues. “I am convinced that, acting in the interest of our people(s), the governments of Pakistan and India need to find the best medium of commencing a dialogue,” he told editors and columnists of leading newspapers and magazines.

Briefing the participants, the minister spoke on objectives of Pakistan’s foreign policy and its ties with China, the United States, European countries, Iran, Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern and Muslim countries.

Mr Kasuri said that Pakistan’s steadfast position on the centrality of the Kashmir issue had made the international community realize the imperatives of finding a just solution to this dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

“The entire international community now understands that Pakistan-India relations and prospects of durable peace in the region cannot improve as long as the root cause of tensions — the Kashmir dispute — is not resolved.”

Pakistan, he said, cannot be coerced into compromising its position on Kashmir. However, he added, it would continue efforts for de-escalation of tension caused by the massive deployment of Indian troops along Pakistan’s border and resumption of dialogue.

Referring to the postponement of the Saarc summit, Mr Kasuri said that after having failed to achieve the desired objectives through its coercive diplomacy, India further hardened its position on a dialogue with Pakistan.

“By refusing to confirm the dates proposed for the 12th Saarc summit to be held in Pakistan, India created a situation where we were left with no option but to postpone the summit,” he said.

With regard to security policy, he said, Pakistan maintained a combination of conventional forces and strategic capabilities to deter Indian adventurism.

“Our sole aim is to prevent aggression and to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said, adding “Pakistan does not harbour any expansionist or hegemonic designs, or covets regional domination.”

Mr Kasuri said the objectives of the country’s foreign policy were peace, rapid economic and social development of the country and prosperity of its people.

The minister said that Pakistan’s election to the UN Security Council for a two-year term with an overwhelming majority constituted a vote of confidence by the international community in its pragmatic, constructive and farsighted policies.

He said the Sept 11 attacks on the United States created turmoil in the world which affected the policies of every nation.

“Pakistan’s choice to join the international coalition in the war against terrorism has enabled the global coalition to make important gains in the anti-terrorism campaign,” he said.

Pakistan’s participation in the international coalition had been widely appreciated, he said, adding “it has significantly improved our relations not only with the United States and the West but also with Iran, Central Asian states, Russia and other Muslim countries.”

On the Islamabad-Washington ties, the minister said, following the Sept 11 events, the US had taken many concrete measures to assist Pakistan in various spheres.

The minister described the strengthening of Pakistan’s friendship with China as a fundamental goal of the country’s foreign policy.

“China has extended generous economic assistance to Pakistan and is playing an important role in Pakistan’s infrastructure development. This assistance includes the Gwadar Deep Seaport Project, the Thar Coal Mines and Power Plant Project and the Duddar Lead-Zinc Mine project.”

Mr Kasuri said that Pakistan had strengthened its cordial relations with the European countries. “Meaningful trade relations have been established with them and prospect for enhanced foreign investment in Pakistan have improved.”—APP