It takes two to tango: Abdul Basit on Indo-Pak ties

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Thursday said until the so-called Kashmir issue is not resolved, it will be difficult to abridge the relations between the two countries.

"Jammu and Kashmir is 'the dispute' between two countries. In Islamabad, there is a feeling that until we don't find a fair and just solution to this problem, it will continue to be very difficult for two countries to bridge the trust deficit the two countries have," he said.

Basit said New Delhi and Islamabad cannot shy away from the problem faced by the two countries and it needs to be discussed.

"Yes there are serious problems between our two countries, but we can't shy away from those but if we engage in purposeful diplomacy then we can realise results to our mutual satisfaction and make a good beginning," he said.

Basit emphasised that Pakistan's desire for constructive talks asked India should be read.

"Pakistan doesn't wish to live in perpetual hostility. We are positive and constructive, but it takes two to tango," Basit said.

Basit asserted that time has come to make up our mind whether both countries want status quo or want to make a new beginning in ties.

Hostilities between India and Pakistan have grown ever since 19 Indian Army soldiers were killed in the Uri attacks in September. Relations soured further following Indian Army's surgical strikes on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC).