ISLAMABAD, 23 October 2003 — The government said yesterday that new Indian peace moves would receive its serious consideration but added that it was disappointed New Delhi had rejected its offer to resume a substantive dialogue.
Pakistan will respond positively to India’s new proposals to improve relations, the Foreign Ministry said.
“Pakistan’s response to any proposal that is substantive and unconditional and genuinely designed to improve relations will, as always, be positive,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan said in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry did not say when Islamabad would give its formal response.
India, trying to revive a stalled peace process, offered yesterday to talk with Kashmiri separatists for the first time and to open new border crossings with Pakistan, including one in disputed Kashmir.
“Pakistan has taken note of a series of proposals announced by India today. These will receive serious consideration by Pakistan,” a Foreign Office statement said in Islamabad. But it added: “We are disappointed that...India has simultaneously reiterated its rejection of Pakistan’s offer to resume substantive and sustained dialogue to resolve all issues...”
