ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri told India’s new ambassador on Tuesday that bilateral talks must be held as soon as possible to sustain the current momentum for peace.

While the minister appreciated diplomatic contacts that had contributed to building expectations and hope, he warned it would be difficult to sustain that momentum “without initiating a composite dialogue at the official level as soon as possible,” a foreign ministry statement said.

Mr Kasuri’s comments were made during a visit by Shiv Shankar Menon, the first Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan in more than a year, to the ministry.

Mr Kasuri told the high commissioner “that given the political will on both sides, it would be possible for Pakistan and India to improve relations which would contribute towards a better future for the peoples of the two countries.”

The foreign minister said both sides had to address all issues, including the dispute over Kashmir.—AFP