Indians have lost interest in peace talks: Pak foreign minister

The Indian government, according to Nawaz Sharief's Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan, has lost interest in its peace dialogue with Pakistan.

"We don't want a quick-fix in Kashmir," Khan told the Dubai-based Gulf News, "The basic format should be set down, because, as of now, the spirit of the talks has dissipated, at least on the Indian side."

Khan said the main point of difference between India and Pakistan is the level at which Kashmir discussions should be held. While India wants it to be conducted at the foreign secretaries level, Pakistan wants it to be between ministries.

"That is the crux of the difference," he said, "but I assure you we will not let the talks die. I trust the talent of our working team will find a solution."

"Let the prime ministers meet in Edinburgh," he said, "We want a meaningful dialogue, not talks for the sake of talks. That will be no more than a farce, a charade."

"If the talks don't work out, we will have to hand it (the Kashmir issue) over to the legal people, bring out the maps and let the lawyers sit down and talk rather than the diplomats. But I think we will find a way," Khan said.

He conveyed he was not impressed by the steps which Indian authorities had taken to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The army is still there..." he said, "And nobody has spoken to the people of Kashmir. Elections have been held, but what kind of election was it?"

In reply to a question, Khan said the recent move by Washington designating the Harkat-ul-Ansar as a 'terrorist' group was "no slap in the face for Pakistan".

"The organisation is in India. And as for the fate of the (Kashmir) hostages, we have directed all queries to the Indian side. We have no information, we have come to a dead end," he said.

UNI