London, November 6

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said war is not an option with India and that only talks can resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.Addressing a conference on “Future of Pakistan 2017” at the London School of Economics’ South Asia Centre here on Saturday, Abbasi described Kashmir as a “core issue” and said relations with India will remain tense until that is resolved. “Kashmir is the core issue with India. Until that is resolved, Pakistan-India relations will remain tense. We are always open to talks at any level and talks are the way forward. War is not an option,” Abbasi said.Highlighting India’s Cold Start Doctrine among recent developments, Abbasi said Pakistan had a “deterrent” in place. “We have a deterrent to that (Cold Start Doctrine) but I don’t think deterrents where both sides are nuclear powers is a solution to any problem. The only solution is continued talks,” he noted. — PTI