ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: Relations between India and Pakistan are at their best these days following the confidence-building measures and peace initiatives taken by the two governments, says a former Indian naval officer. But expecting an early solution to the Kashmir dispute would be asking too much, the former Indian vice chief of naval staff, Admiral Kewal Krishan Nayar (retired), said.

"We should not pin too much of a hope on an early resolution of this longstanding dispute between the two countries. But we believe that we can move forward by taking a number of steps in other sectors which will ultimately lead us to overcoming this biggest hurdle in the way of normal relations," Admiral Nayar said.

Accompanied by Krishan Sethi, a retired businessman, Admiral Nayar deliberated over a number of issues raised by journalists at an informal meeting here on Tuesday afternoon.

About the Kashmir problem, he said the Indian government would relax the restrictions imposed on movement of people and free access of mediapersons to the area.

"I hope once the media people start going there and meet people freely, they will report the facts and present a true picture of the valley," he said. He said he had been eng-aged in Track-II diplomacy since 1986 and was also part of the 'back door diplomacy' for a long time.

"I feel that this time we are positively moving forward. We can start with so many things like enhancing people-to-people contact which itself will help eliminate a number of misunderstandings which presently exist," he maintained.

Responding to a question, Admiral Nayar said the Muslim community living in ghettos of Delhi did not represent the almost 140 million Muslim population of India. "The richest man in India is a Muslim and educated Muslim youth are getting high salaried jobs," he said.

About the anti-Muslim riots, he said it was worrisome for the Indian government and people. "I really do not have anything to say as to what happened in Gujarat. It was unfortunate. I do not agree that the BJP government played the anti-Muslim card to win the elections in the state. Everybody was shocked over what happened in Gujarat", he said adding "the Indian media is full of criticism over what happened there, which clearly shows that people in general did not like what happened there".

He said the Muslims in India were reluctant to send their girls for education, which was a big problem. Answering another question, Mr Nayar said India would not only continue with its nuclear and missile programme, but also keep on improving it in future.

"Let there be no mistake about this. It would be wrong to say India will stop its nuclear and missile programme if there is complete peace with Pakistan. Besides, the missile programme India is working upon, is aimed at reaching far beyond Pakistani territories. It is not for Pakistan alone that India is building its missile and nuclear capabilities," he said.

Admiral Nayar advocated for greater trade ties between India and Pakistan and said it would benefit people on both sides. "If you are getting wheat from Australia then just imagine what it will cost to ferry the commodity from 6,000 miles, and then it will only reach Karachi port from where again it needs to be transported by rail or road to upcountry.

"As against it, it is only 30 miles to Lahore from India and the distribution will be even more easy. For India, we can benefit from your cotton and leather," he said.