KARACHI: Step-by-step approach urged for Kashmir solution
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 24: Leader of the five-member Russian media delegation has supported the step-by-step approach to resolve outstanding Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan.
He was addressing members of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs here on Friday.
Dr Sergei Kamenev said, “It should be recognized that there is a dispute and (both countries should) proceed in a step-by- step manner, preferably under the UN umbrella.” Negotiations between India and Pakistan should be held every month to iron out differences, he added.
“We are keen to see resolution of Indian-Pakistan dispute,” he remarked.
However, another member of the delegation was of the view that Kashmir was a very complicated issue and suggested that Pakistan should recognize the Line of Control as international border and the reality of India being a regional power.
In the context of Pak-Russia bilateral relations, the visitors said they saw a lot of scope for boosting relations in economic, agricultural and power sectors and infrastructure development as well as cooperation in cultural and political fields.
The delegation was informed that in the past former Soviet Union’s policies of providing weapons system to India had upset the balance of power in favour of New Delhi, which in turn had become more adamant in its opposition to the resolution of disputes.
When a delegation member asked as to how President Musharraf’s remarks about Al-Khaled tank, Agosta submarines and the latest JF-7 Thunder aircraft from China to ensure minimum deterrence could be interpreted, especially when in the past Moscow had been blamed for upsetting the military balance in South Asia, he was informed that these acquisitions by Pakistan were of conventional nature and were intended to narrow down the yawning gap in the past and in no way would upset military balance in the region.
About establishing a base at the border of China, the visitors said that it was in the national interest of Russia to remain present there in order to fight terrorism.
They said the US used Afghanistan situation as a pretext for setting up base there. They pointed out that now Russia and the US were strategic partners therefore there was no problem.
“The US presence in Central Asia is a necessity for Russia especially since they crushed Taliban and actually did our job,” the visiting delegation said.
However, they pointed out that Afghanistan was not the only problem. There were some other problems in North West China, which must be kept in mind. They pointed out that China had been informed by Bishkek about foreign bases on its soil. Some people had been trying to foment trouble through terrorist activities in southern Kirghizistan, they added.
To a question, they said that the greatest concern of Russia was terrorism. However, an independent journalist Boris Volkhonski saw no danger in Chechnya, being an independent state. He pointed out that Chechnya had become independent in 1996, but alleged that it did not part peacefully and decided to attack its neighbours. In this context, he alleged that some countries provided funds and weapons. Moreover, he said that he did not see any quick solution to the problem despite recent elections.
Expressing his views about the Turkmanistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan pipeline, the leader of the Russian delegation said that it was not realistic.
Earlier, the PIIA chairman, Fatehyab Ali Khan, briefed the delegation about working of the institute.
