Suggesting "bold steps" by India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir and other outstanding issues, former Pakistan prime minister Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain said on Tuesday that there should be a political solution to the problems between the two countries.
Hussain is on a five-day visit to India, three weeks before Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is slated to arrive to watch a cricket match.
"Our objective is people-to-people contact between the two countries. You cannot resolve problems merely sitting
across the table with notebook and pen. There should an open dialogue," Hussain told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
Describing his 45-minute meeting with Singh as "very good," he said there should be a political solution to the problems between the two countries.
"We have to take bold steps to resolve Kashmir and other outstanding problems."
He said the Prime Minister talked to each and every member of his delegation and replied to their queries.
"We discussed every issue. There was not not an issue which has not not been discussed. Singh was very positive," said Hussian.
Asked if he carried any messaqge from Musharraf, Hussain said, "Yes. He (Singh) will be the first leader under whose
leadership problems would be resolved."
