Kashmiris should be given the right to self-determination, says Sharif

United Nations, Sept 27: Pakistan's prime minister

says he looks forward to meeting with India's leader to "make a new beginning" in the relationship between the South Asian nuclear rivals, reported

.

"India and Pakistan should work toward peace", says Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif will be meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. This will be their first meeting since Sharif was re-elected in May - his third term as premier, but first since he was ousted in a 1999 coup.

Sharif also said that "The entire region would benefit from our cooperation."

Sharif in his speech at the UN meeting in New York said that the suffering of people in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be brushed under the carpet. "Suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be brushed under carpet. Kashmiris should be given the right to self-determination," Sharif said.

Sharif said that he is looking forward to meeting his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh. "I invited PM Manmohan Singh to discuss all outstanding issues, he reacted positively, I look forward to meet him," Sharif said.

Reiterating his stand that India and Pakistan should work toward peace, he said, "Our two countries have wasted massive resources in an arms race. We could have used those resources for the economic well-being ofour people. We still have that opportunity. Pakistan and India can prosper together; and the entire region would benefit from our cooperation."

OneIndia News