Kashmir issue to be tackled through back-channel diplomacy: Aziz

Aziz says Nawaz, Modi agreed to resolve outstanding issues of Kashmir, Siachen, and Sir Creek during Russia meeting

ISLAMABAD: Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday Pakistan and India have decided to resolve the longstanding disputes of Kashmir, Siachen, and Sir Creek through ‘back-channel diplomacy’.

“Both leaders were of the opinion that for lasting peace the way forward was to address the outstanding issues like Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek,” Aziz said, regarding the meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Ufa, Russia on Friday.

"The two sides also agreed to take up these issues under the back-channel Track-II mechanism for better understanding of each other's point of view," Aziz added.

Read: South Asian engagement: US, UN welcome Nawaz-Modi meeting

Aziz's statement comes after backlash from opposition parties over not mentioning the Kashmir dispute in a joint statement issued by the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India after Russia talks.

The two south Asian nuclear-tipped rivals agreed to revive the stalled dialogue process, according to a joint statement issued on Friday.

Further, claiming the meeting between the two leaders was held in a good atmosphere as both sides upheld peace in the region was vital for progress, Aziz said, “The two sides believe in combating poverty, instead of fighting each other.”

Read: Pakistan-India ties: All issues on security advisers’ table, says Rashid

Aziz pointed out that the meeting was useful in lessening tension and for better understanding of each other’s point of view.

“The first priority is to lessen tensions on the Line of Control and the two sides have agreed to activate the mechanism of meetings between the Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers,” he added.

Further, the United States has welcomed the meeting between the two premiers and the announcement for resumption of stalled dialogue.

This article originally appeared on The Times of India