Daily Times

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce & Industry Senior Vice President Iftikhar Malik condemning the Indian denial for resumption of dialogue initiated by Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated the need for a sustained, structured and result-oriented dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve all differences including the core Kashmir issue, saying war is not a solution to problems and only “foolish” people would consider such an option.

In a statement on Monday, Iftikhar Malik said it was a heartening development that foreign ministers of both countries agreed to meet on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly session in New York but Indian refusal of acceptance of the invitation of dialogue from Pakistan is totally against the norms of diplomacy.

“Friendly relations with India on the basis of mutual confidence and cooperation are our priority but we want that India must take steps to resolve the Kashmir issue according to the UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people to provide solid ground for peace in the region,” he said.

He also called upon India to resume dialogue process with sincerity and good intention for long-lasting peace.

Malik said the approach to conflict resolution requires leadership that only heads of government can provide. Diplomats, well meaning though they may be, represent bureaucratic and institutional interests, rather than the national interest. They tend to be cautious and pragmatic.

They can negotiate and implement incremental steps to institutionalise progress, but they cannot initiate the kind of changes that resolve long-lasting and deep-seeded disputes.

Published in Daily Times, September 25^th 2018.