Addressing a function here and later replying to questions from the gathering, Kasuri said, "We should not allow ourselves to be hostage to those who do not want peace. If we have to defeat the terrorists and negative forces, both sides should stick to and remain firm that they will keep talking (to each other) no matter what."
"And I believe that if we give boost to bilateral trade, have liberal visa regime, encourage people-to-people contact, have more cultural exchanges and play cricket and other sports, we can defeat these negative forces or push them in a position where they will be rendered weak," he said.
Kasuri, who proceeded to Mumbai this evening after the function here to take part in his book launch function there despite Shiv Sena's opposition, said that in his book he has listed nine near war situations between the two nuclear neighbours including three major ones.
Asserting that it will be "sheer madness" if the two nations even think of going to war now, Kasuri, who was Pakistan's Foreign Minister between 2002 and 2007, said the two nations had witnessed biggest mobilisation since second World War nearly fifteen years back.
"We have to make it clear to them (negative forces) that we want to continue (talks). And the space for them will shrink," he said.