LONDON, Nov 29: Britain has again called for resumption of a dialogue between two South Asian neighbours for solution of Kashmir dispute and expressed its readiness for a role if acceptable to them.

“The crucial point is that, in the real world, the dispute can be resolved only by bilateral negotiations between India and Pakistan. That is what we want to happen,” British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the House of Commons during the question-hour session on Tuesday.

Responding to another question by MP Clive Betts, Mr Straw said: “In our judgment, the Kashmir issue can be solved only by bilateral discussions between India and Pakistan.

“We are, therefore, encouraging the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to resume the talks that they held in July in Agra. We would stand ready to provide assistance to those negotiations, but only in circumstances in which both sides agreed that our intervention would be helpful.”

Answering a question by David Chidgey (Eastleigh) on the use of multinational force in Afghanistan, Mr Starw said: “I discussed this matter with the President of Pakistan, Gen Pervez Musharraf, during my visit to Islamabad.

“There are various possibilities for outside assistance in terms of multilateral forces to assist any interim authority, and then a proper government in Afghanistan.

“However, our view is that decisions must wait until there is at least an interim authority that can offer consent to such a force.”

On the role of Britain’s troops in Afghanistan, he said the role that British troops might play would depend on the nature of the tasks required and, of course, on the consent of any interim authority.—APP