The key contentious issues of Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and water resources can be resolved but require strong political leadership- Both countries need to build trust through people-to-people contacts, including tourism and sport, not only at the level of defence and security
- Free trade between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan is in the national interest of all countries in the region
- Learn more about the meeting: http://www.weforum.org/india
National Capital Region, Gurgaon, India, 7 November 2012 – Shafqat Mahmood, Central Information Secretary, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan, the party led by Imran Khan, has called for “an entirely new relationship with India” based on mutual trust, free trade and people-to-people contacts. Mahmood said both sides have a basis for moving forward on the key contentious issues: “Kashmir can be resolved, Siachen can be resolved, Sir Creek can be resolved, even water can be resolved – but there has to be strong political leadership.” He suggested that while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shows a desire to move fast on normalizing relations, other elements within the Indian state, particularly the military, are counselling caution.