Kashmir issue to be tackled through back-channel diplomacy: Pakistan

Pakistan has said prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have agreed in their meeting in Russia to address the issues of Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek through Track II diplomacy.

Pakistan PM’s adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Friday said both leaders were of the opinion that for lasting peace the way forward was to address the outstanding issues like Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek.

“The two sides also agreed to take up these issues under the back-channel Track-II mechanism for better understanding of each other’s point of view,” the Dawn quoted Aziz as saying on Friday.

His remarks came after the furore back in Pakistan for not mentioning Kashmir in the joint statement issued after the meeting between Sharif and Modi in Ufa, Russia on Friday.

Aziz, who was also present in the meeting in Ufa, said that the meeting between the two leaders was held in a “very good atmosphere” as both sides believed that peace in the region was vital for progress.

He said the two sides believe in combating poverty, instead of fighting each other.

Aziz said that the first priority was to lessen tensions on the Line of Control and the two sides agreed to activate the mechanism of meetings between the Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers.

He also said the meeting was “very useful in lessening tension” and for better understanding of each other’s point of view.

Separately, responding to the criticism of the Congress party on the decision of Modi to meet Sharif, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said the prime minister does not need anyone’s certificate on the steps taken by him in national interest.

“The Congress Party always questions. The country’s youth has faith in the prime minister, and the steps taken by him to keep the country on a strong foothold. Fuelled by patriotism, prime minister Modi takes decisions, and he does not need anyone’s certificate,” BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said on Saturday.