ISLAMABAD: War with India is not an option, as the use of force could only worsen the situation, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said on Friday, adding that his country “has always been for talks” to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries.
Sharif said this during a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain, reported Pakistani newspaper The Nation, quoting a senior government official who cited the conversation between the two leaders. Sharif said his government desired friendly ties with India, all its neighbours, and the world at large for sustainable development.
Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to Pakistan PM on foreign affairs; and Asif Kirmani, special assistant to Sharif on political affairs, attended the meeting. “They (Sharif and Hussain) discussed the regional situation and the LoC (Line of Control) violations by India,” an official statement said, adding: “Sharif told Hussain he had raised the issue with the US on his last visit to Washington to meet President Barack Obama.”Sharif said the US and world powers also wanted IndiaPakistan dialogue but alleged New Delhi was not cooperating, according to the official. “We have always been for talks,” he was quoted as saying. Another official said the Premier was concerned about the “US discrimination on the civil nuclear deal”. Sharif pledged to continue to convince the US for an India-like agreement.