No communication gap between India-Pak over Kashmir: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Claiming that there was no communication gap between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and other issues, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today said that the bilateral dialogue process should not be held hostage to the Mumbai incident.

"Impression should be dispelled that there is lack of communication (between Pakistan and India)," Gilani said, but acknowledged there was a "lack of trust" between the two nations.

Gilani made the remarks while interacting with media in the Omani capital of Muscat. The premier is currently on an official visit to Oman to boost trade and economic ties.

Pakistan desires the resumption of the dialogue process with India to resolve all outstanding issues, Gilani said. The peace process should not be held hostage to the 2008 Mumbai incident, he said.

In this regard, Gilani mentioned his talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and said he had told the Indian premier that the Mumbai incident "should not be allowed to hold the dialogue process down".

Gilani said the resolution of the Kashmir issue is "vital for regional stability" and Pakistan wishes to discuss "all core issues including Kashmir".

Asked about the presence of terrorist groups along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Gilani said both Islamabad and Kabul realise they were "victims of a common enemy".

He added: "We should combat terrorism with a joint strategy.

The NATO forces and the ISAF are working in consultation with Pakistan and Afghanistan to jointly combat terrorism.

Responding to another query about terrorism and extremism, Gilani said his government is following a "3D policy of dialogue, development and deterrence" and moving in the right direction to curb the menace.

Terrorists were hitting soft targets and had lost their strongholds, he said.

Gilani said his visit to Oman will generate momentum to reinvigorate bilateral relations and further expand economic and trade cooperation.

He said he had discussed various avenues for economic cooperation and the fight against terrorism during his meeting with Omani leaders.

He said his interaction with the Minister of External Liaison provided an opportunity for agreement on multi-dimensional cooperation in defence and maritime sectors.

The two sides also agreed to work on the feasibility of running a ferry service between Gwadar and Muscat.