Politics should not hinder India-Pakistan peace process: Aziz

Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs has said that India-Pakistan peace process should not be allowed to become a victim of the domestic politics.

Sartaj Aziz said it while interacting with a group of visiting Indian parliamentarians Thursday.

Aziz, who hosted a delegation of Indian parliamentarians at lunch at the Foreign Office here, underscored the importance of a dialogue at all levels between Pakistan and India, particularly at the level of Parliamentarians.

The 13-member delegation, representing 11 Indian political parties, is in Pakistan for the fifth round of the Pakistan-India Parliamentarians Dialogue arranged by the Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), a Foreign Office statement.

Aziz said that durable peace was essential for the stability of the region which was only possible through a sustainable dialogue process.

He added that the Pakistan-India peace process should not be allowed to become a victim of domestic politics as that would not augur well for future relations.

He also expressed the hope that the expected meeting of the two Prime Ministers in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA would give impetus to the peace process, said the statement.

Leader of the Indian delegation, Mani Shankar Aiyer, in his remarks said that they were in Pakistan on a goodwill mission and both countries wanted peace and efforts would continue in that direction.

Aiyer said there was a need on both the sides to develop a better understanding, clear misperceptions and work together to resolve issues that would bring about stability in the region.