India invited to meaningful discussion on all issues

17 Mar, 2017

Pakistan on Thursday invited India for a meaningful discussion on confidence building measures with regard to cruise missiles' tests, avoidance of arms race and promotion of strategic stability in South Asia, besides dialogue on all outstanding issues including Kashmir dispute.
Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told weekly media briefing that it has been Pakistan's policy to pursuer friendly relations with all its neighbours including India.
He said that Pakistan wants a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with India, particularly, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Pakistan is also hosting the upcoming Indus Water Treaty Commissioners' meeting, he said, adding we have been emphasizing the need for sustainable and result oriented dialogue vis-à-vis our relationship with India - dialogue which should not disrupt or breakdown on flimsy grounds.
"Pakistan has shown a number of gestures which were not reciprocated by India. We hope that India will soon realize that dialogue is key to peace and stability in the region, as well as peace between the two countries, particularly in the context of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir", he added.
About India's latest test of supersonic Brahmos cruise missile, he said that the test was not notified to Pakistan, as the bilateral agreement on pre-notification of missile tests covers only ballistic missiles and cruise missiles are not covered in the accord.
"This underscores the need for Pakistan and India to engage in meaningful discussions on further measures for confidence-building, avoidance of arms race and promotion of strategic stability in South Asia. Pakistan stands ready for such talks with India. Our proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime for South Asia is still on the table", he said.
He further said that the international community should also take note of the reports that India had been exercising "strategic restraint" on its missile development prior to getting the MTCR (The Missile Technology Control Regime) membership.

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