TORONTO, June 6: Canada has reiterated its support to a “peacefully negotiated solution” to the Kashmir dispute for durable peace in the South Asian region.

“Canada believes that a sustained and peaceful dialogue is the only way” to resolve the dispute, said Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham in a communication to the Toronto -based Kashmiri Canadian Council (KCC).

“The government of Canada is aware of, and deeply concerned about the ongoing tragedy in Kashmir,” he said, while responding to a memorandum, submitted to him by the KCC, which said more than 60,000 Kashmiris had lost their lives in the struggle, which had not significantly drawn the attention of the world community, including Canada.

KCC Executive Director Mushtaq A. Jeelani told Dawn on Thursday that Bill Graham had said: “Canada supports a peacefully negotiated solution that would take into account the interests of the Kashmiri people, improve human rights in the region and end all acts of terrorism and violence,” reports our correspondent.