May 31, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 28, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

TEHRAN, May 30: The Indian decision to resume dialogue with Pakistan is hopefully of strategic nature rather than a tactical move, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said on Friday.

Pakistan, he said, would take necessary steps for resuming a composite dialogue with India for the resolution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir dispute.

He was talking with members of Pakistani community here at Pakistan embassy.

He said: “I hope that Prime Minister Vajpayee’s decision is of strategic nature”.

Kasuri said Pakistan had welcomed the decision and had responded positively and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali responded in good faith and in full measure by announcing wide-ranging confidence-building measures.

Mr Jamali, he said, had taken the initiative to call the Indian prime Minister, inviting him to visit Pakistan, adding that a process of engagement, though tentative, had begun.

Welcoming the recent Indian overture, he said that it was a departure from its hostile stance and was a “vindication of our position.”

Pakistan, he said, hoped that the Indian leadership would keep up the momentum of the steps taken so far, reducing tension and reversing the negative past trend.

Referring to the Kashmir dispute, it was evident that the dialogue and peaceful means were the only viable options for the resolution of Kashmir dispute.

Analysing various factors regarding the Indian decision for resuming dialogue with Pakistan, Kasuri said, Prime Minister Vajpayee “must have been influenced not only by the external factors” but his decision could also “have been influenced by internal political developments” in India.

Now, he said, it appeared that the Indian prime Minister had decided to distance himself from some of the most belligerent statements of some hawkish elements in his party. Besides, he said, the international community had also been “very much concerned” about the rising tension more so, after the nuclearization of this region.

On Pakistan-Iran relations, the minister said that after enjoying “friendship, understanding and close affinities” since 1947, there was a brief period, which witnessed some irritants during the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Situation, however, had improved vastly and Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and Foreign Minister, Dr Kamal Kharrazi had a very successful visit to Pakistan last year.

MEETS KARZAI: Mr Kasuri met his Iranian counterpart, Dr Kamal Kharrazi, on Thursday evening on the sidelines of the 30th Islamic Conference of foreign ministers and exchanged views on matters of mutual interests. Welcoming the foreign minister, Dr Kharrazi said Iran attached the highest importance to its relations with Pakistan and that Iran valued its friendship with Pakistan.

Mr Kasuri briefed the Iranian foreign minister on the latest developments with regard to Pakistan-India relations.

Dr Kharrazi expressed his satisfaction over the easing of tension between Pakistan and India.—APP