Pakistan, India should look for solution to Kashmir: Boris Johnson

Visiting British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Thursday called for an end to violence in Jammu and Kashmir but added that Britain did not want to "prescribe a solution or act as a mediator" in the conflict over the "disputed" region.

"The longstanding position of Britain is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting solution to the situation in Kashmir taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people," Johnson told media.

"Of course we are concerned about recent incidents on both sides of the Line of Control in Kashmir and we call for an end to the violence," he said, urging Pakistan and India to exercise restraint and maintain a dialogue.

Johnson, who is on two-day visit to Pakistan, said the "mutual sequestration" of the India-Pakistan economies was holding back the region from becoming a "boom zone".

Johnson earlier met Pakistan's foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Office to discuss bilateral ties, FO Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said on Twitter.

During the meeting, Johnson said he was excited to be in Pakistan and wants to "further consolidate the rock solid friendship between our two countries".

Johnson's visit comes days after British Prime Minister Theresa May was in India earlier this month.

--IANS

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