News
Friday, April 30, 2010
Pakistan, India agree to revive dialogue
* Gilani, Singh meet in Bhutan
* Qureshi says meeting positive, leaders discussed all issues
* FMs, foreign secretaries to work out modalities of engagementStaff Report
THIMPHU: India and Pakistan on Thursday agreed to revive dialogue – without any preconditions – following a meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the 16th SAARC summit in Bhutan.
The meeting between Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart, Dr Manmohan Singh, took place at Bhutan House in the SAARC village and lasted for 90 minutes. After the one-on-one session ended, the foreign ministers and the foreign secretaries were asked to join in.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao separately briefed the media after the bilateral meeting.
Qureshi described the talks as “very comprehensive, cordial and friendly”, and said the meeting lasted longer than was expected, and all issues were discussed. “It was a positive meeting and a step in the right direction, in the right spirit. The two prime ministers had agreed earlier ... that dialogue is the only way forward. Today, they not only reiterated that commitment, but also agreed to resume the dialogue process that has remained suspended for months.”
Qureshi said the two foreign ministers and foreign secretaries were now going to work out the modalities of engagement and had been asked by their prime ministers to meet as soon as possible and quite frequently. “We are working on the modalities. Our leadership has given us the mandate,” said Qureshi when asked about the structure of the talks.
At the meeting, both sides vowed not to allow their soil to be used against the other. Gilani assured Singh that the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks would be brought to justice.
Qureshi said there was an acknowledgment of a trust deficit on both sides, and the foreign ministers of both India and Pakistan “have to bridge that trust and build confidence to take the process forward”.
Qureshi told the media that the meeting concluded on a positive note and “everything under the sun” – including Kashmir, security, Siachen and Sir Creek – was discussed. “I will now be engaging with the Indian foreign minister to decide an appropriate time at the earliest for this engagement,” said Qureshi, and invited the Indian home minister to a meeting of SAARC home ministers in Islamabad on June 26.
Replying to a question about the reason for new modalities, Qureshi said, “We are interested in bridging the deficit gap. All segments, all issues of concern ... will be discussed ... neither side was expecting such a positive turn to the dialogue.” He said issues related to the distribution of water had also been discussed.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said the Pakistani prime minister was serious about India’s concerns over terrorism and had assured a speedy trial for the Mumbai attacks suspects. She said the lack of mutual trust needed to be eliminated, and “we need to understand each other”.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk