Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi has stated that the upcoming Indo-Pak talks is a "positive step". He said, "We are ready for meaningful engagement with India."

 

He said that issues of mutual concern should be recognised and discussed for the success of the meeting,   "We would want to discuss all issues that have strained our relations over the years," and added, "If we do not recognise those issues then the dialogue will not be meaningful".

 

He said the result of the meeting will depend on how broadminded India is, "It depends on the kind of response and mindset of India,” and said, "If they are open minded, if they are constructive then this engagement would lead to other favourable developments, but if they have their mind shut I do not see a meaningful forward movement."

 

He even spoke about the water issue which he feels is a "very sensitive issue" for Pakistan and said even that matter would be raised but also insisted that it "would be naive to blame India" for the water problem saying that Pakistan should utilise its share of water in a more efficient way.

 

His words came at the seventh worldwide security conference organised by the East West Institute at Brussels on Thursday.The minister was in Brussels to inaugurate a two-day conference of Pakistani ambassadors to Europe with the aim of enhancing Pakistan-EU cooperation.