The Hindu : Front Page : 'India serious about talks with Pakistan'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 22, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

'India serious about talks with Pakistan'

By Our Special Correspondent

IMPHAL, NOV. 21. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today dismissed the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf's remark that India had failed to show flexibility in solving the Kashmir problem.

"On the basis of stray words, we cannot say there is no flexibility. On both sides, we should move forward with sincerity," he told reporters at the Raj Bhavan here when asked about Gen. Musharraf's criticism of India's move to reduce troops in Kashmir as "cosmetic" and that "bad vibes" were emanating from New Delhi.

Dr. Singh said that India was "very serious" about a composite dialogue and wanted it to "progress and progress well." The Pakistan Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, is scheduled to visit New Delhi on November 23.

"We look forward to a fruitful exchange of views with the Pakistan Prime Minister. We can solve all outstanding issues with purposeful negotiations," he added.

In an obvious reference to Dr. Singh's statement on his maiden visit to Srinagar that India would not accept any proposal about Kashmir that entailed redrawing of international boundaries, Gen. Musharraf had told a gathering of South Asian journalists in Islamabad yesterday that Pakistan was ready to meet India "half-way" if India showed sincerity in discussions on different options and solutions to the Kashmir dispute.

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