NewsDec 09 , 2015
Pakistan-India to start 'comprehensive bilateral dialogue': Swaraj
ISLAMABAD: The arrival of Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has been the point of focus in the media both in Pakistan and across the border. While the main reason was to attend the Heart of Asia conference, more weight was being given to Swaraj’s meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and later with the Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
In a short joint statement issued after the meeting with Aziz, Sushma Swaraj said that the two countries are on the same page that comprehensive dialogue needs to continue.
For this purpose a ‘comprehensive bilateral dialogue’ will be initiated which will include all the pillars from the previous ‘composite dialogue’ and the later ‘resumed dialogue’ sessions between the countries and may include additional points as well.
Swaraj further added, that to plan the schedules and the modalities the foreign secretaries of the two countries will have to sit down and decide which issues will be discussed during which meetings and who all attend the dialogue from either side.
A press release about the joint statement seen by Geo News read, that the Indian Exteran Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz both condemned terrorism and resolved to eliminate it.
They noted the successful talks on terrorism and security related issues in Bangkok be the National Security Advisors (NSA) and decided that the NSA’s will continue to address all issues connected to terrorism. The Indian side was assured of the steps being taken to expedite the early conclusion of the Mumbai trial.
Both sides, accordingly, agreed to a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue and the Foreign Secretaries to work out the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the dialogue including peace and security, CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Projects, Economics and Commercial Cooperation, Counterterrorism, Narcotics Control and Humanitarian issues, People to people exchanges and Religious Tourism.
Courtesy www.geo.tv
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