Ban Ki-moon still ready to use 'good offices' for India-Pakistan rapprochement

UNITED NATIONS: Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is willing to use his good offices to help India and Pakistan resolve their differences if both the nations want his intervention, a spokesperson for the UN Chief has said.

Amid comments by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that Islamabad's desire for good neighbourly relations with New Delhi has not been reciprocated, Ban's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the offer by the Secretary General to use his good offices has been on the table.

"That offer has already been on the table if both parties want it. So if both parties want it, we are available," Haq told reporters at the daily briefing yesterday.

Haq was responding to a question on whether the UN Chief would renew the offer of his good offices to both the countries in the backdrop of Sharif saying that there is no sign of India desiring resumption of dialogue with Pakistan.

In an interview with the Saudi Gazette, Sharif was quoted as saying that Pakistan is ready to engage with India in a constructive dialogue for negotiated settlement of all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sharif said India unilaterally called-off the bilateral dialogue process on a "frivolous pretext", referring to India's cancellation of Foreign Secretary-level talks last year after the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi held consultations with Kashmiri separatists.