ISTANBUL: Turkey and Pakistan have called for the resolution of two basic disputes, i.e. the dispute over Kashmir and the sharing of the Ganges water, a joint communique said today [May 5]. It said that the talks which were marked by “broad identity of views” covered a wide range of subjects, including bilateral relations, Regional Co-operation for Development, the situation in the region and the world.

The communique issued at the end of President Yahya Khan’s six-day visit to Turkey and talks with his Turkish counterpart Cevdet Sunay and Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel. [It] said: “The President of Pakistan informed the Turkish statesman that no progress had taken place in the settlement of the two basic disputes between Pakistan and India on Jammu and Kashmir and equitable distribution of the waters of the river Ganges. The two Presidents agreed that the Kashmir dispute should be settled peacefully in conformity with the resolutions of the United Nations. With regard to the distribution of the water of the Ganges, they agreed that this question should be settled at an early date on an equitable basis ensuring Pakistan’s rights.”

The two leaders expressed deep attachment to the cause of world peace [and] stressed the importance of development and an atmosphere of confidence among states. — Agency

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2020