WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani on Wednesday said that South Asia cannot achieve its true economic potential unless Pakistan and India resolve their differences and make common cause against terrorism and poverty. Settlement of issues including the J&K dispute in accordance with international legality is of critical importance to establish permanent peace.

Addressing the faculty and students at the Harvard Kennedy School on ‘Pakistan-India Relations: the Way ahead’ Jilani explained the history of the relationship and the underlying issues that have shaped the events and policies in South Asia.

He said the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif articulated his vision of a peaceful neighbourhood and extended a hand of cooperation towards India in order to build durable peace.

Highlighting the current trends, Ambassador Jilani informed a large audience of students and researchers that there is a strong realisation in South Asia on the imperative of an uninterrupted peace process. There is broad political consensus in Pakistan to promote regional cooperation as a path to peace and prosperity, he said.

Noting the progress previously made in bilateral relations, Ambassador Jilani stated that both sides have had constructive discussions in the composite dialogue in the past years and were able to conclude a number of Confidence Building Measures.—INP