No breakthrough on core issues because of Indian intransigence: Mushahid
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Foreign Relations Committee said here Tuesday that the composite dialogue and the back channel diplomacy going on between India and Pakistan have certainly brought about a qualitative change of environment between the two countries as these negotiations paved the way for broad national consensus on resolution of issues through negotiations.
He said that the breakthrough on core issues could not be achieved because of Indian intransigence. Senator Mushahid Hussain made these observations while talking to a 13-member delegation of Royal College of Defence Studies, U.K. led by Admiral Sir Ian Garnet KCB that called on him at the Parliament House here this afternoon. Mr. Mushahid Hussain gave a comprehensive briefing to the Royal College team on Pakistan's foreign policy with particular reference to Pakistan India relations, regional cooperation and campaign against terrorism, etc.
Regarding India-Pakistan relations, he said that relations between the two countries were improving and the credit for this goes to the leadership of the two countries. Mr. Mushahid Hussain pointed out that Pakistan, under the leadership of General Pervez Musharaf took major initiatives in this regard and, besides resolution of other disputes, laid focus on resolution of core issue of Kashmir through dialogue.
Mr. Mushahid stated that after 9/11, the issue of terrorism came to the limelight and Pakistan had to suffer the backlash of the events in Afghanistan so much so that even President and Prime Minister became the targets of suicide attacks. Underlying the need for a policy review by the Western countries, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pointed out that the observations / comments emanating from some leading figures of Western countries about Islam spawned a credibility gap between the Muslims and the West.
He opposed the use of force for resolution of issues and welcomed the proposal put forward by President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan for initiating dialogue with moderate forces in Afghanistan including the moderate elements of Taliban for peace in the region. Touching on the issue of Indo-US. nuclear cooperation, Mr. Mushahid opined that the agreement was not only violation of international regulations but also negation of U.S. laws. That was why, the U.S. had to change its law, remarked Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.
Admiral Sir Ian Garnet KCB thanked Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed for giving a comprehensive and useful briefing to his team on various issues with particular reference to security perspectives and the challenges being faced by Pakistan.