India says Kashmir unrest internal matter

Krishna In Islamabad
NISSAR AHMAD THOKAR


Islamabad, July 14: India Wednesday said the prevailing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, that left 15 people dead, was an internal matter of the country.
“India has always taken a consistent position. Whatever is happening in Kashmir is an internal matter of India,” External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on his arrival here today.
First trip by an External Affairs Minister to Pakistan since 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Krishna said he was in Pakistan on a mission to restore trust and increase confidence in the bilateral relationship.
Talking to media persons at Chaklala air base, Krishna said that meaningful dialogue was in the best interest of the two countries. He maintained that his country was committed to resolve all issues through negotiations. “I am here with a message of peace and friendship from my country”, he said adding that India wanted a peaceful, prosperous and stable Pakistan.
During his three-day visit, Krishna, accompanied by a 15-member delegation, will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi Thursday and will try to find areas of convergence between the two countries, besides focusing on Confidence Building Measures in the areas of people-to-people contact, exchange of prisoners and bilateral trade.
“We hope to discuss all issues of mutual interest and concern that can contribute to restoring trust and bringing confidence in our bilateral relationship,” Krishna said. “I also look forward to receiving feedback on the issues raised by our Home Minister (P Chidambaram) during his visit to Pakistan last month on our core concern of terrorism, particularly in the light of the discussions our Home Minister had in Pakistan in the context of interrogation of David Headley regarding the Mumbai terrorist attack,” he said.
Describing his visit as an important one, Krishna said he hoped it would usher in “a new journey in our efforts to build a peaceful, friendly and cooperative relationship between our two countries.”
Besides holding talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Krishna is scheduled to meet the Pakistani political leadership including Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, President Asif Ali Zardari, former premier Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharief and the Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali.