Qureshi urges Obama to raise Kashmir issue with India

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

WASHINGTON: Stressing that recent violence against people in the Indian-held Kashmir has threatened South Asian peace prospects, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday asked US President Barack Obama to take up the decades-old dispute with India during his upcoming visit to the country in November.

“President Obama has always understood the importance of a Kashmir solution. His upcoming visit to the region is the time to begin to redeem the pledge that he made earlier,” Qureshi said, co-chairing the plenary session of the third round of US-Pak strategic dialogue with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“Pakistan and the US have a shared interest in a peaceful and stable South Asia. Unfortunately, this prospect is threatened again by the recent events in Kashmir,” Qureshi added.

In a joint press conference at the end of the talks, Qureshi said, “We are going to transform this into a people-centric relationship, we are not only making an investment of years, but also for generations.”

Qureshi said, “We’re determined to transforming this relationship and have put together a unique format of engagement. Recognising that we can have differences as friends do, but knowing that we have to move ahead in our mutual interest,” according to a private TV channel.