[holding answer 5 July 2006]: My hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East discussed Kashmir with the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, during his visit to the UK in March 2006. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed Kashmir with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to India in September 2005. My right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) the then Foreign Secretary discussed Kashmir with Indian and Pakistani counterparts during his visit to both countries in February 2005. Officials in both countries also regularly discuss the situation in Kashmir with Indian and Pakistani Ministers and officials.
The Government fully supports the ongoing Composite Dialogue between India and Pakistan, which includes the issue of Kashmir. We will continue to urge both countries to seek a lasting solution to their dispute over Kashmir, which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.