India, Pak should talk with open mind: Beigh

Asserting that leaders of both India and Pakistan should go to the negotiating table with an open mind, Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh has appealed to all parties, including Hurriyat Conference, to adopt a reasonable approach to help resolve the Kashmir issue.

"The two neighbours should go to the negotiating table with an open mind. Any attempt to go to table with preconceived formulae would derail the peace process and lead to confusion," Beigh said at a function here last evening.

Describing the prevailing situation in the sub-continent as a moment of great opportunity and challenge, Beigh said, "A lot now depends upon the political leadership of the two countries and how effectively they use this opportunity to establish long lasting peace in the region."

Beigh, who also holds charge of law and parliamentary affairs ministry, said the outcome of the ongoing exercise depends upon two factors, viz, how the leadership in both the countries address the problem and how the people of the state deal with the situation.

He said the wall of hatred between the two nation could only be brought down by increasing people to people contact and making people on both sides concerned over each other's welfare.

The minister said the thrust should be laid on exchange of culture, education and trade.

Jammu, December 29, 2003 (Zee News)