JK cannot be resolved ''under shadow of gun'': India to Pak

Islamabad, Jun 25: India told Pakistan that the complex issue of Kashmir cannot be resolved under the "shadow of gun and extremist violence" as the two sides agreed on various confidence building measures (CBMs) during their two-day "substantive and constructive" talks.

"There is no place for the ideology of military conflict," Islamabad was told as Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao wound up her 2-day talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here.

India raised its concerns over the slow pace of trial of Mumbai terror attack accused and "worrisome aspects" of terror links of ISI, as revealed in the trial of Pakistani- Canadian terrorist Tahawwur Rana in Chicago.

With "realistic expectations", the two sides ended the talks on a positive note, paving the way for discussions between Foreign Ministers of the two countries in New Delhi next month. They also discussed conventional and nuclear CBMs.

Addressing a joint press conference with Bashir, Rao said, "We have been fully conscious of the complexities of our relationship and the consequent need to take incremental steps to promote mutual confidence and understanding."

"The shadow of the gun and the violence it has unleashed has caused untold sufferings on our people in these years past. This needs to end, Rao said, adding "the ideology of military conflict should have no place in the paradigm of our relationship of the 21st century."

Asked about the issue of resolution of the Kashmir issue, she said, "We have to build peace and reconciliation step by step... We must do away with shadow of the gun and extremist violence and then only in atmosphere free of terror and violence that we can discuss resolution of such a complex issue."

PTI