The Hindu : `India suffering from Pak. paranoia'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2003

International

International - India & World

`India suffering from Pak. paranoia'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD June 23. Pakistan today accused India of suffering from what was dubbed as `Pakistan paranoia' and said New Delhi should re-consider its thinking towards Islamabad for betterment of relations.

The Foreign Office spokesman, Masood Khan, alleged that India blocked Pakistan's entry into the ASEAN Regional Forum and urged it to reconsider its opinion about Pakistan.

Pakistan's entry to the forum could have been a positive and healthy development and was supported by the majority members, including the European Union, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, he said.

On India's attitude towards Pakistan, he said, ``it is difficult to keep track.''

Mr. Khan said the prospects of engagement between India and Pakistan is there.

Pakistan was sending its High Commissioner, Aziz Khan, to India on June 30 and the Indian External Affairs Ministry has already been informed that he will be travelling by road.

On whether the Kashmiri mujahideen will accept the talks between Pakistan and India, he said there could be no solution to the dispute between the two countries without taking into consideration the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

On removing visa restrictions between Pakistan and India, Mr. Khan said, ``the issue has to be discussed by the authorities. There can be no quick fix.'' On finalising dates for the SAARC summit, he said, Pakistan liked to hold the summit as early as possible and will have to consult all the member-states. A meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the SAARC members will be held at Kathmandu soon and it may also look into the possibility of holding the summit.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International