No change in policy on Kashmir issue, Senator John McCain
A high-level US Senate delegation led by Republican John McCain, Chairman Senate Armed Services Committee visits Pakistan for regional security talks with Pakistan’s top foreign affairs official and military chief in Islamabad.
US Senate delegation has discussed different dimensions of regional security as Washington gears up to send more troops to neighbouring Afghanistan.
The US Senator John McCain urged both India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue and asserted that peace in Afghanistan could not be possible without Pakistan’s help.
The delegation met Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and discussed with him important bilateral issues, including terrorism, Pakistan’s relations with India and Afghanistan and regional peace. Other members of the US delegation were Lindsey Graham, Sheldon Whitehouse, Elizabeth Warren and David Perdue.
After the meeting, Mr McCain, Chairman Senate Armed Services Committee, while talking to the state-run PTV said that Pakistan had a significant role for establishment of peace and stability in the region. He said: “Kashmir problem should be resolved in a peaceful way through negotiations.”
He said the US wanted an end to violence in India-held Kashmir, adding that the US would continue its policy on the Kashmir issue because no change had been made in this regard.
Mr Aziz raised concern over the gross human rights violations by Indian security forces in held Kashmir and international community’s silence over the reign of terror unleashed by India on innocent and unarmed Kashmiris.
“Pakistan firmly believes in the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and the peaceful struggle of the Kashmiri people to claim the right to self-determination promised to them by the international community through the UN Security Council resolutions,” he added.
According to the Foreign Office, Senator McCain appreciated the contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. He said that continued engagement with Pakistan, a close friend and ally of the US, was important.
“Pakistan looks forward to constructive engagement with the United States on all efforts and initiatives that would lead to a stable and prosperous Afghanistan,” the Foreign Office statement said.
The visit of John McCain has also more significance because just a day before Islamabad slammed Washington’s decision to sanction a Kashmiri leader of Hizbul Mujahideen.