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Former Pakistan foreign minister says Kashmir issue can be resolved

Former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said the issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan is a problem for both the countries but is "resolvable". Kasuri was speaking in New Delhi at the launch of his book "Neither a Hawk nor a Dove". The book is an insider account of the time when Kasuri was the foreign minister and also talks about his contribution in making peace with India. The book talks about many events but has a detailed analysis of unresolved Kashmir issue. Kasuri said that in his book he has provided a solution to the Kashmir issue. Kashmir is a region claimed by both India and Pakistan and the scene of decades-long battle by militants against Indian rule. Kasuri also added that Pakistan's position is equally well stated, they will never accept the status quo. He further said that he used to meet Hurriyat leaders in a serious attempt to try and understand what they really wanted. Kasuri asserted that cricket matches can act as a substitute for battlefields between India and Pakistan. Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah, former Foreign Minister of India Yashwant Sinha and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, were also present at the book launch. Meanwhile, Basit praised Kasuri for his work and making efforts to improve relations with India.