Dialogues needed to ease tensions

International community urges India and Pakistan to sit down and talk

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated that issues between Pakistan and India should be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

Qureshi said at a Saturday news conference in Lahore, eastern Pakistan: "Peace is our priority and we do not desire war with India."

His remarks followed continued tensions between the neighboring countries on Saturday as heavy firing by the two armies killed at least seven people on both sides of their fiercely disputed Kashmir border.

Long Xingchun, director of the Center for Indian Studies of the China West Normal University, said that it is a relief that the tense situation between the nuclear armed neighbors, at its highest level in years, has eased for time being.

"Whether small-scale or large-scale conflicts cannot bring benefits to either country or settle any current disputes for them, but will bring casualties and economic losses to both sides," he said. "It is better to sit down and carry out dialogues. "

Friction between the South Asian neighbors surged following the Feb 14 suicide attack that killed at least 40 Indian policemen in the India-controlled area of Kashmir.