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India will not shy away from
discussing Kashmir: Nambiar

Nambiar is in New Delhi in connection with the preparations for the summit. He was expected to return later this week.

Ahead of the crucial summit, India and Pakistan are reported to have exchanged notes to analyse and comprehend mutual positions on the proposed composite dialogue on eight crucial issues, including Kashmir.

Pakistani newspaper Jung reported on Monday that both countries have exchanged 'non-papers,' meaning detailed notes to fathom and analyse mutual positions on the issues to be discussed.

Pakistan foreign officials were not available for comment, while sources in the Indian high commission in Islamabad said no such exchanges were routed through their office.

Though both the countries were tight-lipped about the format and agenda for the summit, authoritative sources said the meeting between the two leaders is formatted in such a way that they could establish a personal rapport, friendship and trust between themselves before taking up thorny issues, like Kashmir, for discussion.

Nambiar said the main objective of the summit would be to infuse confidence between the two countries, which was shattered after the Kargil conflict and re-establish the atmosphere created by the Lahore process.

"We know Pakistan will insist on the core issue (Kashmir). We are not going to shy away from it," Nambiar said in an interview to Malayalam TV channel Kairali.

Stating that India would like to have a comprehensive dialogue, he said it was necessary for Pakistan to realise that instead of pushing for the core issue it should look at the larger question of the future of both the countries and the region.

"Both countries need to look at the future rather than the past. There needs to be certain flexibility," said Nambiar.

Asked whether India could go beyond the 1994 parliamentary resolution, which speaks of retrieving territories held by Pakistan, he said it was for the people to see if a 'new relationship' could be evolved. "There has to be a change in perception on both sides."

To a question about suggestions on converting the Line of Control into the international border, Nambiar said: "At present, it would be difficult to propose this."

On Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf's statement that he was coming to India with an 'open mind', Nambiar said: "He is trying to say he wants a change. We should take it as an indication of looking at a better relationship."

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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