Wednesday, April 20 2005 22:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Describing President Pervez Musharraf's visit to India as "very significant," Pakistan today (Apr 20, 2005) said the "landmark" joint statement issued by the two sides was "very, very forward looking" and talked about the "centrality" of the Kashmir issue.

"In our judgement it is a very, very forward looking joint statement. It talks about the centrality of Jammu and Kashmir and acknowledged that there have to be a meaningful progress on the Jammu and Kashmir issue, and talks of resolution of the Sir Creek and Siachen which are also in the larger interest of Pakistan," Foreign Office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani told reporters in Islamabad.

He was responding to a remark that the document was seen as a "surrender" of sorts by Pakistan.

On India's assertion that boundaries cannot be redrawn, Jilani said "we agree with the statement to the extent that a sovereign Pakistan is a reality.

"There are international borders recognised by all. In the case of Kashmir, it is an internationally disputed area and its status is yet to be determined. There is difference between what is being stated and the reality."

Asked how the joint statement was different from those issued on January 6 and September 24 last year, he said "it certainly is a landmark statement for the simple reason that the scope of this statement is much wider than the previous statements."

Summing Pakistan's assessment of Musharraf's April 16-18 visit, Jilani said "in our judgement it is a very significant visit. It provided an opportunity to engage with each other and discuss all issues of concern."

"There is a general appreciation throughout the world of the major initiative of the President to engage the Indian leaders to reiterate the commitment to peace process. This has been generally appreciated by all the world capitals, by Pakistan and Indian media," Jilani said.

Asked about the specific outcome of the visit, he said the leadership of both countries held "extensive discussions" on all issues which have bedevilled their relations.

"Major focus remained on Jammu and Kashmir and that is the issue that got maximum time" in one-to-one meeting between Musharraf and Singh and during the delegation-level talks, he said.

There was a general agreement between the leaders of the two countries to speed up the process, he said, adding that "we consider this as a great forward movement."

Musharraf for his part asked for reduction of Indian troops in the valley, he said.

"We feel that withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir would have a very, very positive impact. It would raise the comfort level of Kashmiris. It would alleviate many of their problems, and they would also feel part of this peace process," Jilani said.

To a question, he said the "acknowledgement" by India that Kashmir was an issue that needs to be tackled "itself is a great achievement. The agreement to discuss and speed up Siachen and Sir Creek in our judgement are very significant developments as far as India-Pak relations are concerned.

"It is certainly in the interest of Pakistan and India that these two issues are resolved as soon as possible. This would provide further impetus to resolution of other issues."