Islamabad: Asserting that any U-turn on Kashmir by Islamabad was "impossible," Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said that Pakistan and India were currently exploring various options for a negotiated settlement of the vexed issue.

"The direction of dialogue process between India and Pakistan is positive. We are exploring options for a negotiated settlement of Kashmir issue to achieve durable peace in the region and to attract investment as it is not possible in tension," Kasuri told State television in an interview yesterday (Oct 22, 2004).

He said that any U-turn on Kashmir is impossible.

Denying an impression that US was pressurising Pakistan and India to hold talks, he said infact, the whole world was interested in dialogue between the two countries.

On Afghanistan, Kasuri said Pakistan in the past supported Taliban to avoid bloodshed in Afghanistan.

"Peace and tranquillity in Afghanistan was necessary for economic development and prosperity of Pakistan," he said adding Taliban was isolated due to its rigid policies.

He also observed that Pakistan's trade with Afghanistan increased from $20 million to $1 billion after the fall of Taliban.