Pakistan welcomes Modi's call for dialogue

A top Pakistani official has described as "encouraging" Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi's statement for dialogue with Islamabad.

Sartaj Aziz, advisor to prime minister on foreign affairs, welcomed Modi's statement for resumption of Pakistan-India dialogue, Geo News reported Sunday.

Sartaj Aziz told Geo News that Modi's statement for resumption of talks was "encouraging".

He said that raising Kashmir issue in the UN General Assembly by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was vital so that the world community must know which stakeholder is hindering in the way of its resolution.

Chiding Pakistan for raking up Kashmir in the UN General Assembly, Modi said Saturday that the UN was not the forum for resolving bilateral issues.

Modi said: "I am prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism, to promote our friendship and cooperation. However, Pakistan must also take its responsibility seriously to create an appropriate environment."