NEW DELHI, 30 March 2005 — If India and Pakistan take “bold steps,” indulge in “open dialogue” and encourage “people-to-people contact,” solving differences even over the Kashmir-issue would become possible, said former Pakistan Prime Minister Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain yesterday.
After a 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Shujaat said: “Our objective is people-to-people contact between the two countries. You cannot resolve problems merely sitting across the table with notebook and pen. There should be an open dialogue.”
Asserting that there should be a political solution to problems between India and Pakistan, he said: “We have to take bold steps to resolve Kashmir and other outstanding problems.”
Shujaat described his meeting with the Indian premier as “very good,” during which Manmohan talked to all members of his delegation and replied to their queries.
“We discussed every issue, including on water. There was not an issue, which has not been discussed. Singh replied on them positively,” said Shujaat.
On whether he carried any message from President Pervez Musharraf, Shujaat replied: “Yes. He (Singh) will be the first leader under whose leadership problems would be solved.”
Shujaat arrived here on Monday for a five-day visit. His visit is viewed as track II diplomacy to prepare ground for Musharraf’s forthcoming visit (April 16-17).
Displaying their active participation in furthering people-to-people contact, a group of schoolgirls from Pakistan called on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam yesterday. During their 30-minute meeting, Kalam told the delegation that India and Pakistan must unitedly fight against their “common devil poverty.”
