New Delhi: Arriving in New Delhi for crucial talks, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar today (June 26, 2004) said his side would discuss with Indian officials the "fundamental issue" of Jammu and Kashmir and other matters with "great sincerity and seriousness" as both sides prepared to propose a slew of confidence-building measures (CBMs).

"We are going to kickstart the composite dialogue....we certainly will approach the talks with great sincerity and seriousness," Khokhar told reporters on his arrival at the airport for the two-day talks with Foreign Secretary Shashank from tomorrow (June 27, 2004).

Khokhar, who was received by Foreign Secretary-designate Shyam Saran, India's High Commissioner in Islamabad Shiv Shankar Menon and Pakistan envoy here Aziz Ahmed Khan, said the two sides will discuss the "fundamental issue of Jammu and Kashmir", besides peace and security and CBMs.

"We hope that we will be able to do some solid business," said Khokhar who was Pakistan's High Commissioner here from 1992 to 1997 and added he was "very delighted to be in Delhi after many years and looked forward to meeting all my friends".

Asked whether Pakistan will press for tripartite talks involving Kashmiri leaders, he parried saying "we will see".

In Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said that any agreement on Jammu and Kashmir has to be one that is acceptable to the Kashmiri people. The Pakistan Foreign Secretary said he brought greetings and good wishes from the people and Government of Pakistan.