17 April 2005	Sunday	07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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NEW DELHI, April 16: President Pervez Musharraf has come to India with an open mind to hold dialogue with the Indian leadership on all issues, including Kashmir, said Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad.

On arrival in the Indian capital on Saturday, he told reporters that “all issues would be resolved once the Kashmir problem was settled”.

“The core dispute between the two countries is Kashmir,” he emphasized, adding that people of both the countries “have a strong desire that this dispute is resolved”.

He said progress in that direction could be made once Pakistan and India sat and pondered over bilateral issues in the light of Indian proposal for confidence-building.

Sheikh Rashid said the purpose of the current visit was to create a harmonious and congenial atmosphere between the two nations so that they could be considered good neighbours in the world.

The minister said it was the need of the hour that a solution of the Kashmir issue was found which was acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris.

“Both the countries will have to show flexibility in their respective positions on the issue,” he added.

He said President Musharraf would also take into confidence the Kashmiri leadership about the progress of the talks with India.

Apart from witnessing the cricket match, the president would discuss issues of mutual concern with the Indian leadership, he said, adding that cricket diplomacy in the past had helped in reducing India-Pakistan tension.