Pakistan to focus on Kashmir during FS-level talks

In an apparent response to India's move to focus on fresh evidence linking the Inter Services Intelligence to the Mumbai terror attacks during the foreign secretary-level talks, Pakistan on Wednesday said it was imperative to address the "core issue" of Kashmir in the upcoming dialogue.

Pakistan's stand was formulated during a meeting between Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and representatives of the Kashmiri leadership.

Bashir met the leaders for consultations ahead of his planned meeting with his Indian counterpart, which is expected to be held in Islamabad later in June.

"It was agreed that Jammu and Kashmir is the core issue and it was imperative to address this issue effectively and in a purposeful manner in the forthcoming dialogue with India," said a brief statement issued by Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua after the meeting.

Bashir held "in-depth consultations on all aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir issue" with the Kashmiri leaders, the statement said.

The statement, however, did not disclose the identity of the Kashmiri leaders.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is expected to visit Islamabad by the end of June for talks with Bashir that will focus on the Kashmir issue, peace and security and confidence-building measures.