E-Paper
Manmohan optimistic of 'final settlement' on J&K
In the most optimistic assessment yet of the peace process, PM said the climate is conducive for an all-win situation.
In the most optimistic assessment yet of the India-Pakistan peace process, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday that "if allowed to go forward" it could help in the "final settlement" of the Kashmir dispute.
"I really believe that if this process is allowed to go forward, it will create a climate conducive to the final settlement," the Prime Minister told reporters accompanying him on his visit for the Asian-African summit.
But Manmohan Singh said it was not possible to put a time frame for resolving the problem. "I really don't know today. It is a process. I can't lay down a timetable, where will it lead us or when will it."
"But I am convinced this is the way of looking at the problem, which creates a situation where there are no losers, no winners.
"They only gainers are the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the prospects of reconciliation between the people of India and the people of Pakistan," he added.
Asked about the reference to "soft borders" by both him and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during the latter's visit to India, the Prime Minister said India and Pakistan have to tackle the Kashmir problem from a "different perspective".
"Territorial disputes are not easy to resolve overnight. They take time," he said.
But he said there was "a lot" India and Pakistan could do together by focusing on the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) so that they can "lead a life of dignity and self-respect".
The LoC divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
"We can create an environment of freer trade, freer movement, thereby the development process on both sides can improve," said the Prime Minister.
He said though the last few weeks had been hectic with the visits of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Musharraf, the visits had produced "solid results".
Wen's visit led to both countries agreeing to a political settlement of their boundary question and putting an end to the controversy over Sikkim's status, with the Chinese leader declaring the former Himalayan kingdom as an integral part of India.
"We agreed that the delineation of the LAC (Line of Actual Control) should be accelerated," Manmohan Singh said, adding, "I am confident that our relations will take a new turn for the better."
He also referred to the joint statement issued at the end of Mushrraf's visit in which both sides declared the peace process as "irreversible" and said, "It is my sincere desire to work with President Musharraf to carry forward this process of reconciliation."
