§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had in Pakistan regarding talks to resolve the Kashmir issue and continue the work on improving Indo-Pakistan relations. [164129]
§ Mr. StrawI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) earlier today.
We warmly welcome the recent talks between India and Pakistan where they agreed an agenda and timetable for substantive talks, including on the issue of Kashmir. During my recent visits to India and Pakistan, I congratulated President Musharraf, Deputy Prime Minister Advani and Foreign Ministers Kasuri and Sinha on this breakthrough and assured them of our full support as they take this process forward. We recognise that these talks, due to begin after the Indian general election, will be a step in a long and difficult process. We hope that they will, in due course, lead to a durable settlement of all the outstanding issues, including Kashmir.