Islamabad: Emphasising on "sincerity" and "flexibility" to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including the Kashmir problem, Pakistan today (Nov 28, 2004) said the recent meeting between the Prime Ministers of both countries helped in improving the atmosphere.

Spotlight: Kashmir is NOT negotiable

"We need sincerity, flexibility and courage to achieve results on Kashmir," Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar said in a statement issued in Islamabad.

Bakhtyar, who accompanied Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during his recent visit to New Delhi, said talks between Aziz and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were "very constructive."

"These talks helped in improving the atmosphere, understanding each others' perspectives and ensuring the continuity of the composite dialogue," he said.

He said Prime Minister had a frank and comprehensive exchange of views with the Indian leadership on SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) and bilateral relations.

During bilateral discussions, he said, the focus remained mostly on the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir issue, adding the Prime Minister emphasised its centrality and that movement on all issues had to be in tandem with it.

The dialogue process and confidence building measures (CBM's) have to move in tandem, he said.

He said it is imperative that progress on Kashmir and CBMs should move in unison. Resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be the biggest CBM, which can rid the region of tension and usher in an era of stability and co-operation.