New Delhi: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan wants to establish ‘lasting peace’ with its neighbor India. He also said that on the issue of Kashmir cannot be sorted by going to war.

According to the newspaper, ‘The News International’ Shahbaz Sharif said this while he was addressing a group of Harvard University students. He said that the solution of the Kashmir issue is associated with the resolutions passed by the United Nations which ois linked to ‘lasting peace’ in the region.

We want ‘lasting peace’ with India: Shahbaz Sharif

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif said, “Pakistan is committed to maintaining peace in the region. We want lasting peace with India through dialogue as war is not an option for any country.”

India-Pakistan relations remains strained due to the Kashmir issue and terrorist activities from across the border.

Cross-border terrorism fuel tensions

Relations between India and Pakistan have often been strained over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. However, relations between the two countries came to an end after the August 5, 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution, bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. The reason being that India’s decision drew strong backlash from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy.

Kashmir an integral part of India

India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will remain an integral part of the country. India said it wants normal neighborly relations with Pakistan in an environment free from terror, enmity and violence.

There should be a spirit of competition, not animosity

During the talks, Sharif said Islamabad and New Delhi should have competition for improving trade, economy and the condition of their people. He said that Pakistan will not be an aggressor, but it has nuclear assets and trained military deterrence. “Islamabad spends its army to defend its borders and not to attack,” he said.