Kashmir talks plan 'took months'

Interview By Sanjeev Srivastava BBC correspondent in Islamabad

Months of planning and foreign pressure preceded India and Pakistan's surprise agreement to hold talks, the Pakistani prime minister has told the BBC.

Monday's talks are being described as historic

In an exclusive interview, Mir Zafarullah Jamali said both nations' officials had been locked in close contact before their leaders met on the sidelines of a regional summit in Islamabad on Monday.

"The process was also facilitated by some other countries," Mr Jamali said, but refused to name them.

I think the joint agreement is a win-win situation for both India and Pakistan Prime Minister Jamali

Most of all, Mr Jamali said, it was the positive attitude displayed by the leaders that had secured the joint agreement to hold talks on issues that will include Kashmir.

In response to a question about the perception amongst some in Pakistan that Islamabad has conceded more to India - by offering guarantees on the issue of terrorism - than it has got in return from Delhi, Mr Jamali said both countries will have to rise above their stated mindsets and fixed positions if peace is to be achieved.

"There is no place for petty egos and old hang-ups in the changed scenario," he said.

"It's a question of sacrificing for certain goals. We must know what we want to achieve and for those goals if sacrifices will be required, so be it.

"Many sacrifices will be required to achieve peace and we are willing to make them if peace can be achieved," he said.

"But I think the joint agreement is a win-win situation for both India and Pakistan."

'A changed world'

Mr Jamali rejected suggestions the joint agreement did not take into account Kashmiri hopes.

What else was the entire composite dialogue about, he asked, if not "about the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris".

"Only time will tell whether peace dialogue has been started [while] keeping the interests of the people of the region in mind. It's in the interest of everybody's future that we are working."

When asked about recent attempts on the life of President Musharraf, and the implications - that certain sections of Pakistani society, like the extremists, would try and derail the peace process - Mr Jamali said that everyone cannot be expected to have the same set of interests and objectives.

"But one must remember it's a changed world order and a majority of the Pakistanis are in favour of peace."

When asked at what level the peace dialogue would start next month, the Pakistani prime minister said it would be at both official and political levels.

"The modalities should be decided in a day or two," he told the BBC.