"Russia is enthusiastic about the moves Pakistan and India are making to normalise their relations-in particular, confidence building with respect to nuclear missiles," remarked Mr. Lavrov. Russian-Indian partnership is by no means upsetting the regional balance of forces, he reassured.
Jammu and Kashmir remains the worst stumbling block in Indian-Pakistani relations, said Mr. Kasuri, who was also addressing newsmen after the Moscow talks.
Pakistan wants the problem settled peacefully-and peace is attained not by good wishes alone but by practical steps, he stressed. Practical decisions must be taken to settle the issue as soon as possible. The goal can be achieved, provided political goodwill, and Pakistan has such goodwill. The Foreign Minister pointed out an essential importance of global support for settlement efforts.
His country is not engaging in an arms race with India but has every opportunity to protect its independence and territorial integrity, Mr. Kasuri emphatically added.
Afghan developments were prominent on his Moscow agenda.
"Peace and stability must come to Afghanistan, and it must cease to be drug danger source. That is in Russian and Pakistani interests alike," said Sergei Lavrov.
"We wish Afghanistan peace, stability and affluence," Khurshid Kasuri joined in.
Afghanistan is a burning issue for his country. Millions of Afghan refugees are staying in Pakistan to this day, though ever more are departing home with every passing day. Pakistan is not a prosperous country, and sheltering refugees is a bad burden on its economy. Things get even worse as pro-Taliban mojaheddin are building up violent action even after the anti-terror campaign routed them.
