Pakistan's Sharif Proposes Peace Initiative With India

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif addresses the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN in New York on September 30.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has proposed a four-point initiative to defuse tension with India.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on September 30, Sharif called for both neighbors to respect a 2003 cease-fire on their de facto border in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, for the demilitarization of Kashmir, and for an unconditional withdrawal of forces from the Siachen Glacier.

He also proposed that Islamabad and New Delhi reaffirm they won't resort to the use or the threat of use of force under any circumstances.

India's foreign minister is due to address the General Assembly on October 1.

Kashmir is divided between the two countries but claimed by both in its entirety.

The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars, two over the Himalayan region, since 1947.

The 2003 cease-fire agreement has been frequently violated in recent months, as each side accuses the other of provoking deadly cross-border shelling.

Based on reporting by AP and Radio.gov.pk