Toeing India's line, Zardari favours 'bilateral talks' to resolve Kashmir issue

New York, Sept 25 : Toeing India's line, newly-elected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Kashmir issue could be resolved through bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan, though he added that in case of need his country could go back to the UN for arbitration.

He reiterated his strong desire to improve relations with India.

"If the people of India and Pakistan stand together, the Kashmir issue can be resolved," the Daily Times quoted Zardari as saying at a press conference.

But he refrained from confirming, whether Pakistan's position on Kashmir was still attached to UN resolutions. "If need be, we can always go back to the United Nations," he added.

According to the paper, it was clear that he was keen to de-emphasise the role of the UN and felt that the issue of Kashmir should rather be dealt with bilaterally, a position India has long preferred and advocated.

Replying to a question, Zardari said that he will take up the issue of water in his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later in the day.

Zardari said that Kashmir remained the 'core issue' between India and Pakistan and every Pakistani government had viewed it so. "The Pakistani position is well known. The current uprising is indigenous. However, the problem can be resolved through a 'people to people dialogue'," he added.

ANI