FM briefs US senate leadership on Jammu & Kashmir situation

WASHINGTON: Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with US Senate leadership during his visit to Washington and discuss the situation in the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

During the meeting both sides shared their commitment to develop the bilateral relationship, they also discussed the situation in South Asia, the Afghanistan peace process and recent developments in the Middle East.

On a social media website Twitter, FM wrote: “The Foreign Minister briefed the Senators on India’s lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, and its implications for regional security.”

“He wrote that peace and stability in South Asia would remain elusive until the Kashmir dispute was resolved in accordance with international law and the wishes of the Kashmiri people”.

Discussed our bilat. relationship, Pakistan’s contribution to the Afghan Peace Process, recent ME tensions & India's illegal lockdown in Occupied J&K with its implications for regional security until peaceful resolution in line with the Kashmiris' right to self determination. https://t.co/E4EXotMd2R

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) January 16, 2020

The situation in Kashmir has traditionally been strained due to conflicting sovereignty claims by India and Pakistan.

Tensions escalated earlier in August when the Indian government annulled Kashmir’s special status and placed it under New Delhi’s direct control. The international community criticized the decision, while Pakistan pledged to protect its people in Kashmir