News
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
India wants to engage Pakistan, improve bilateral relations* Bilateral dialogue process to be resumed in next few months
* Kerry accepts importance of greater market access for Pakistan’s exports to US
BRUNEI DARRUSALAM: Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday expressed his government’s desire to engage with Pakistan on all issues and work on improving bilateral relations.
Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz who met with Salman Khurshid in Brunei on Tuesday on the sidelines of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting said he reviewed the confidence building measures with India, which is the desire of the people of two countries. It was the first high-level contact between Pakistan and India since Nawaz Sharif became the prime minister. The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, and the discussions focused on building better relations between the two countries, said the Foreign Office spokesman. Aziz said that it is necessary that Pakistan and India discuss all outstanding issues through confidence building measures to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.
The adviser said trade and economic cooperation between the two countries could act as a catalyst and raise the confidence level on both sides that would allow a sustained peace process. He appreciated the recent visit of the Indian energy mission to Pakistan in which trade in electricity and gas was discussed. Both the ministers discussed steps that were needed in this regard.
They also agreed that the Pakistan-India Joint Business Council meeting which had just concluded its session in Islamabad on June 29 was another important mechanism that would help in taking the process forward. Referring to the positive outcome of the ARF meeting, both the leaders were of the view that regional cooperation would give an impetus to the economic development and prosperity of south and South-East Asia. Both expressed the hope that the bilateral dialogue process between Pakistan and India would also be resumed with holding of different meetings in next few months. Aziz said there is a possibility of meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in September.
Meanwhile, Aziz also held a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday. The main focus of discussion between the two sides was bilateral cooperation in the post-2014 period, Foreign Office spokesman said. Giving further details, the spokesman said, the adviser emphasised the need for holding the next round of strategic dialogue at ministerial level between the two countries. The strategic dialogue process provides an institutional mechanism to strengthen bilateral relations, action in several areas through different working groups and in this regard Pakistan is looking forward to Secretary John Kerry’s visit to Pakistan.
The adviser to the prime minister also stressed that the main focus of foreign policy of the newly elected government will be economic revival and socio-economic development. He said the two sides must make efforts to increase trade from the current level of $5 billion to $10 billion in the next five years. Aziz also stressed the need for greater market access to Pakistani exports to the United States. Secretary Kerry appreciated new government’s focus on the economy and said he accepted in that context the importance of greater market access for Pakistan’s exports to USA. He emphasised that improved law and order was also necessary for economic revival and larger foreign investment. appCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk