Dar flags Kashmir and water dispute at Asean security forum

MANILA: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a regional security forum on Thursday that unresolved disputes including Kashmir and what he described as India’s threats to Pakistan’s share of water were among the major issues endangering peace and stability.

Dar was speaking at the 33rd ministerial meeting of the Asean Regional Forum in Manila, where foreign ministers and delegates from 27 member states gathered. The meeting took place as the war involving the United States and Iran intensified, a development of particular concern for the 11-member Asean bloc, whose combined economy of about $3.8 trillion is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil.

Dar outlined eight challenges that he said were undermining peaceful coexistence and livelihoods at both regional and global levels. In his remarks, he warned that delays in addressing these issues would weaken collective efforts aimed at peace, stability and prosperity.

Addressing the forum, Dar said the Kashmir dispute and India’s threats to Pakistan’s water share were among the pressing concerns before the international community. He said these and other challenges continued to affect regional stability and broader global security.

"continue to threaten peaceful coexistence, stability and our livelihoods across the region and the world"

He also said:

"Any delay in addressing these challenges will only undermine our collective efforts to achieve peace, stability and prosperi"