What do you think of Nawaz Sharif’s response?
It has come in response to Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s letter offering talks in order to normalise relations. Our response is going to be positive and relevant.
But he has said that unless there is an advance on Kashmir, cultural and commercial ties can’t improve. The interpretation of this is ‘let us get back to Kashmir first before we settle other issues’.
That is not our interpretation.
That is not India’s interpretation?
No. Our interpretation is he has offered to talk and we will adequately respond to it. We have offered to discuss all issues that stand in the way of India and Pakistan becoming friends.
But Pakistan sees Kashmir as the core issue?
You see, I am not pre-judging anything since now it has to be sorted out by official-level meetings. We will then work out the agenda.
Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Jehangir Karamat, said what Pakistan
really wants is the right of...
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