§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Governments of India and Pakistan about Kashmir. [116957]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly raises our concerns about Kashmir with the Governments of India and Pakistan, including during frequent telephone calls. The Foreign Secretary and Indian Foreign Minister Sinha also discussed Kashmir during their meeting on 20 May. We hope there will be further opportunities to discuss Kashmir with senior Pakistanis and Indians in the near future.
As the Foreign Secretary said in his press statement of 2 May, we warmly welcome the announcement that India and Pakistan are to resume full diplomatic relations and re-establish transport links between the two countries. We hope that these positive 802W developments prove to be the first steps in a process of building confidence, normalising bilateral relations and resolving outstanding differences, including Kashmir.