New York: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today said progress on the decades-old Kashmir issue will help his country improve relations with India.

Addressing a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) here, Qureshi thanked the members of the grouping for their continued support to the "just cause" of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Tangible progress on this issue will contribute to Pakistan s endeavour to build cooperative relations with India and to enable South Asia to emerge as a zone of prosperity and peace," he said.

Qureshi said peace and stability between Pakistan and Afghanistan will ensure development in both the countries.

"It is in the vital interest of our two countries which are bound by geography, history, faith and culture, to cooperate closely to defeat the menace of terrorism.

"Peace in our countries will enable Pakistan and Afghanistan to serve as the hub for trade and economic cooperation in the regions of South Asia and Central Asia, China and the Gulf," he said.

"In our efforts to restore peace through dialogue and development, any act of terrorism or cross-border attack in Afghanistan from Pakistani soil will not be tolerated. If any such violation occurs, our government will take forceful action to eliminate that.

He said Pakistan will not allow any foreign troops to operate on its territory.

Qureshi also called on Islamic countries to play a significant role in the Security Council and in its reform and expansion.

Source : PTI