‘Kashmir dispute cannot keep on boiling’: Imran Khan’s message to Modi

Reiterating his call for peace talks with India over Kashmir, Prime Minister Imran Khan sent out a message to PM Narendra Modi saying that the issue needs to be settled and cannot keep on boiling like it currently is.

When BBC's John Simpson asked him what message he wants to send to Indian PM and the people of India, the premier answered, "The number-one tasks of the two governments is how are we going to reduce poverty and the way we reduce poverty is by settling our differences through dialogue and there is only one difference - which is Kashmir."

The premier continued that if the Kashmir issue was not settled, anything happening, the reaction to the oppression in Kashmir will be blamed on Pakistan and tensions will again rise. PM added that if the Kashmir dispute gets settled, the benefits of the peace will be tremendous for the sub-continent.

On Tuesday, in an interview to Reuters, the prime minister said that he thinks there may be a better chance of peace talks with India if PM Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins the Indian general election. He added that if any other party wins the general elections, it would be scared of the back lash it might receive over talks with Pakistan on Kashmir.

“Perhaps if the BJP - a right-wing party - wins, some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached,” PM Khan added.