Kolkata: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today (Sep 25, 2004) welcomed the joint statement of India and Pakistan following yesterday's summit between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf in New York, terming it 'positive and encouraging'.

Sayeed, who is on a visit to Kolkata, told a press meet that the meeting had generated optimism and hope of a lasting peace in the sub-continent which was bound to have a positive impact on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister said that the announcement of the two sides to explore possible options for a negotiated peaceful settlement of the Kashmir problem was a major step in the process of normalisation.

He hailed the sincere and positive spirit exhibited by the two leaders during the meeting saying it augured well for the people of the two South Asian countries.

Sayeed said both countries had suffered for long because of the confrontation and J&K had suffered the most.