Sartaj Aziz: All issues can be resolved at dialogue

Pakistan’s top diplomat Sartaj Aziz said on Sunday that Islamabad hoped to resolve all issues with India through dialogue, including Kashmir.

Mr Aziz, PM Nawaz Sharif’s foreign affairs adviser, said the comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan will focus on all issues, including Kashmir. He said the recent meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif in Lahore had decided the two foreign secretaries will meet next month to decide the details of the dialogue.

Mr Aziz told a TV programme that it wouldn’t be fair to expect any instant resolution of all issues, so the initial focus will be on reduction of tension and maintenance of calm on the Line of Control. As the dialogue proceeds, all issues would be discussed, he added.

In response to a question, Mr Aziz said promotion of good relations with all neighbours was Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s policy and that this was a pre-requisite to benefit from projects aimed at regional connectivity and resolving energy-related issues.