Pakistan wants cordial relations with India: Ashraf

Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has reiterated his country's resolve to find a negotiated settlement to all disputes with India.

"We want cordial relations with India for the sake of peace and prosperity. We desire resolution of all disputes including Kashmir with India through dialogue and understanding," Xinhua quoted Ashraf as saying in his Independence Day speech.

He was speaking at a national flag hoisting ceremony in Islamabad to mark Pakistan's 66th Independence Day.

The Pakistani PM said that his country wants solution to the Kashmir problem in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspiration of the people of Kashmir.

"We consider dialogue as the only way to settle disputes with India. We initiated trade relations with India so both countries could be benefited. This key progress has paved the way for durable friendship between the people of the two countries," Ashraf said.

He reiterated Pakistan's stand on Kashmir and said that his country wants solution to the problem in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspiration of the people of Kashmir.

"We will continue political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Kashmir," he said.

"We hope that India will avoid delaying tactics in granting the right of self determination to Kashmiris under the UN resolutions," the prime minister said.

On the foreign policy of his country, the prime minister said China was a close and trustworthy friend and the relationship with Beijing was an important pillar of Islamabad's foreign policy.

The prime minister said Islamabad has made it clear to the US that Pakistan will not compromise on its sovereignty and integrity and considers US drone attacks as an interference in its sovereignty.

On the security issue in Afghanistan, he said: "We stand with our Afghan brothers shoulder to shoulder in every critical juncture and are playing the role of a flag bearer in the efforts to maintain peace in Afghanistan."

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