'India must take credible steps...': Pak PM rakes up Kashmir issue at UNGA, says 'war not an option'

Sep 24, 2022

'Sustainable peace and stability in South Asia remain contingent upon a just and lasting solution to Jammu and Kashmir dispute,' said Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today.

"We look for peace with all our neighbours, including India," he added. The Pakistani PM was addressing the UNGA in New York.

He further added that 'India must take credible steps to create enabling environment for constructive engagement.' "We are neighbours and we are there forever, the choice is ours whether we live in peace or keep on fighting with each other," Sharif said.

Stressing further on solving the differences between the countries by peaceful negotiations, Shehbaz Sharif said, "We have had 3 wars from 1947 onwards and as a consequence, only misery, poverty and unemployment increased on both sides. It is now up to us to resolve our differences, our problems, and our issues through peaceful negotiations and discussions."

"I think it's high time that India understands this message that both countries are arms to the teeth. War is not an option, only peaceful dialogue can resolve issues so that the world becomes more peaceful in the time to come," he added.

Notably, earlier on Wednesday, while addressing the UNGA, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also ruffled the Kashmir issue and said, "India and Pakistan, after having established their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, they still haven't established peace and solidarity between one another. This is much unfortunate. We hope and pray that a fair and permanent peace and prosperity will be established in Kashmir."

Responding to the Turkish President's comments, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "I don't think a reference to Jammu and Kashmir at the UNGA is useful or helpful."