Think 'out-of-the-box' for Indo-Pak peace: Sudheendra Kulkarni

The Modi government should initiate dialogue with the Congress on Indo-Pak ties and think "out-of- -the-box" to take the peace process forward, former BJP ideologue Sudheendra Kulkarni said here today.
"We need to have dialogue with our neigbours. But before that, we need a Congress-BJP dialogue, dialogue within BJP and within the Sangh Pariwar. We must think out of the box..." he said.
The political commentator was speaking at a session at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival.
Stating that dialogue was the sole option to resolve bilateral ties with Pakistan, he said, "There is no military solution. India needs to resolve the Kashmir issue with an open mind and the solution should be mutually accepted by India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir as well."

Kulkarni, who faced an ink attack by Shiv Sena workers for hosting former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in Mumbai in October, said Prime Minister Modi's visit to Lahore recently should be welcomed.
"I wholeheartedly support Prime Minister for visiting Pakistan, he brought a strong human touch (to the issue,)" Kulkarni said adding that the initiative would act as a goodwill gesture with Pakistan.

Stating that terrorism was a common threat for both the neighbouring countries, he suggested that it was Pakistan which suffered more by terrorism.
"We need to tackle the issue of terrorism which is a common threat for India and Pakistan. More Pakistani people have been killed in the last 10 to 12 years and most of them were Muslims killed by Muslim fundamentalists," he said.

Suggesting a change in the school curriculum in Pakistan he said, "School curriculum in Pakistan spreads hatred against Hinduism and non Islamic faith," he said.
He added that there was a new thinking inside Pakistan which is why there is desire there that India and Pakistan should cooperate in fight against terrorism.