Ranchi: A day after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he would not be a party to the peace process with India if there was no forward movement on the Kashmir issue, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha held today (Apr 1, 2004) that instead of presumptions, it was better to restrain airing such statements, which would not help the peace process.

"Statements based on presumptions will not help the peace process started by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I think we should wait till August/September when the Foreign Ministers of the two countries meet," Sinha said commenting on yesterday's remarks by Musharraf.

Official in both countries had chalked out a schedule in February, which would continue till July/August, Sinha said.

"Only after the officials finish discussions on many points and meetings by foreign secretaries thereafter, will the Foreign Ministers meet. Till then we should wait and refrain from issue such statements," he added.

Musharraf had said yesterday, "If we do not move forward, I am not in the process. They know that. I told everyone absolutely unambiguously that if you think that I am here to sell Kashmir, you are talking to the wrong man."