Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday recalled his discussion with former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee about the Kashmir issue. Khan said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee had told him that Kashmir would have been resolved if the BJP had not lost the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Khan said that former external affairs minister Natwar Singh was also present at that meeting.

“It shows that there is a solution of Kashmir and both countries were close to resolve it,” the Pakistani prime minister said. Elaborating on the subject, Khan said that war is not a solution to the Kashmir issue, and that it can be resolved only through talks.

In an interview to a group of television journalists in Islamabad, Khan said unless there was a dialogue, various options on resolution of Kashmir cannot be discussed.

When asked about the “options” to resolve the Kashmir issue, Khan said there were two or three solutions, which have been in discussions. He, however, refused to share more details, saying it was “too early to talk about them”.

Ruling out the possibility of any war with India, he said two nuclear armed countries would not fight because “there are always unintended consequences”.

Asserting that Pakistan was serious to develop peaceful ties with all its neighbours, Khan claimed that India was not ready to hold talks with the country due to the upcoming general elections.

Replying to a query on his views on the military’s role in shaping of foreign policy in every country, including the US, he said, “Advice from the establishment is taken in those issues where security situation is involved.”

Khan said the Pakistan Army and his government “are on the same page” and his decisions are “backed” by the military.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 28 laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan – the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev – to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district to facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims.

Vouching for peace, Khan claimed that the Kashmir dispute can be resolved through talks and a healthy respect for humanity.

He said that his government and army were all on the same page with an intent on establishing a “civilised relationship” with India.

“Just imagine the potential we have if our relationships get strong,” Pakistan PM said.

(With PTI inputs)