Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Relations between India and Pakistan

July 18, 2001

The Government of Japan appreciates the holding of the latest India-Pakistan summit which marks the resumption of dialogue between the two countries. Japan also welcomes their decision to continue the dialogue between the two leaders.
The Government of Japan strongly expects that both the governments of India and Pakistan strengthen their efforts further more to solve bilateral issues through dialogue on the basis of the latest summit meeting as a first step. Japan also hopes that it will lead to the creation of a better atmosphere, which would contribute to reducing tension and increasing stability in the two countries as well as in the whole southwest Asian region.

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