Pakistan for normalised ties with India 'despite provocations'

Pakistan Tuesday told a senior US official that it wants normalisation of relations with India despite the "recent provocation of hostilities" along the border and also sought the international community's intervention in the "core issue" of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to an official statement, this was conveyed by adviser to the prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, to visiting US Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dan Feldman here.

Aziz briefed him on ties with India and said that "Pakistan wanted normalisation of relations with India despite the recent provocations of hostilities along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary.

"The international community needed to support an early resumption of the peace process and a resolution of all outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir" he said.

Feldman "acknowledged Pakistan's important contribution towards peace and stability and deeper engagement on issues of trade and economic cooperation with Afghanistan. He said that the United States was willing to extend its full support in this regard".

"On India, he agreed that there was a need to resume the dialogue process as expeditiously as possible," said the statement.

On Afghanistan, Feldman "acknowledged Pakistan's important contribution towards peace and stability and deeper engagement on issues of trade and economic cooperation with Afghanistan.

"He said that the United States was willing to extend its full support in this regard.
"On India, he agreed that there was a need to resume the dialogue process as expeditiously as possible."

Aziz stated that Pakistan was determined to open a new chapter in its relations with Afghanistan and would extend support for an Afghan-led reconciliation process.

The US official was told that Pakistan was engaging with Afghanistan across a broad range of issues - including peace and security, trade and economic ties, reconstruction and rehabilitation, and regional cooperation.

Pakistan hoped that the upcoming visit by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, would move this process forward.