SYDNEY: Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid has said that Pakistan has not yet fulfilled its promises made during top-level military meetings to sort out better arrangements in Kashmir.
“If they can address the dismantling of the infrastructure of terrorism, that would be a good start,” Khurshid was quoted as saying in an interview in regard to recent shootings at the border by The Australian newspaper.
Khurshid said that “We talk to Pakistan periodically and in terms of personal gestures we receive great warmth.” “But the on-the-ground reality and the results of our meetings are very disappointing.”
However, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month vowing to go the “extra mile” to make peace with India, Khurshid said Delhi would take him at his word.
The Indian foreign minister said that Pakistan should be given the benefit of the doubt, admitting that Pakistan has very difficult issues to deal with at home.
“Pakistan has a lot of very, very difficult issues to deal with at home,” Khurshid said.
“Our view is that we should give them time, not at our cost, of course, but that we should give them the benefit of the doubt. When Mr Nawaz Sharif says he wants peace and good relations with India, we take him at his word,” he added.[dropcap]…[/dropcap]