Washington: Asserting that chances were now bright for creating an understanding with India on Kashmir, Pakistan on May 16 said it was prepared to take up issues, which are of concern to New Delhi.

"There are now maximum chances for creating an understanding with India on Kashmir," Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri told reporters.

Instead of talking at each other, the two countries should talk to each other, said Kasuri, who has already met Vice-President Dick Cheney, Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage during his current US visit.

He said after confrontation of Indian and Pakistani troops some two years back, there has been a growing realisation in large segments of the Indian population, like in Pakistan, that war is not an option for resolving Kashmir issue.

"We are quite prepared to address issues that are of concern to India. But one thing is obvious that even if Pakistan and India were to decide to make peace without resolving Kashmir issue, there will be no durable peace because Kashmiris are party there by virtue of the fact that they are divided on both sides of Pakistan and Indian Kashmir," he said.

He said there is now an element of optimism in South Asia as a result of the two country's renewed efforts towards starting dialogue.

PTI