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India's concerns will be addressed: Pakistan

Pakistan on Monday said the "huge steps" outlined by President Pervez Musharraf to address India's "primary concerns" will be implemented and favoured the resumption of a "self-sustained" dialogue between the two countries.

Pakistan's High Commissioner in India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi said the two countries were "on the brink of a historic opportunity" and this "huge opportunity should not be wasted".

Addressing the India Today Conclave in New Delhi, he said: "It is important for India and Pakistan to address each other's concerns."

The Pakistani envoy said Musharraf's "historic" address on January 12 was aimed at a bringing about a "revolution in Pakistan".

"We will implement" what Musharraf has said, he asserted, asking India to "take time to assess" and see whether it was "just rhetoric".

"Don't doubt the sincerity (of Musharraf)... Your concerns are being addressed. You will see its impact," he said.

Stating that bilateral relations demand that each country address the other's concerns, Qazi said: "We believe we have done a bit of it. It is a huge step towards addressing India's central concerns. Will that be reciprocated or will there be a sterile response? Will India address our concerns?"

He said if India did not reciprocate and kept on pushing Pakistan, it would have a negative impact. "Cynicism and scepticism will only cause impediments."

Insisting that Pakistan continued to consider Kashmir as the "core" issue and will not change it, Qazi said if New Delhi wanted to have friendly ties with Islamabad, the issue should be given importance.

"Pakistan considers Kashmir as the core issue. It is enough for you (India) to consider it."

He said India and Pakistan "are in the process of being good neighbours" if New Delhi reciprocates Islamabad's gestures.

Stating that both India and Pakistan had "respective views" on Kashmir, Qazi said: "The two nations need to move forward."

PTI

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