July 22, 2015
News
We can make a good start: Abdul Basit
Pakistani, Indian advisers likely to meet in New DelhiNEW DELHI – Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has said that Islamabad is committed to peace between the two nations and wanted to build on the positivity that was reflected in Ufa.
“We hope that we can make a good beginning,” the envoy said while speaking at an Eid get together held at the Pakistan High Commission in the Indian capital city. “We want all issues of importance between Pakistan and India to be discussed. We hope that very soon our leaders meet and resolve all issues of importance,” he said.
When asked about the absence of some Hurriyat leaders, Abdul Basit denied that there was any boycott. “We miss the leaders who didn't come (to attend this Eid get together),” he said. His comments came a day after Indian External Affairs Secretary S Jaishankar gave a speech referring to the Ufa summit as well.
“Our prime ministers met a week ago and agreed on steps to strengthen peace and tranquility on the border. We hope to take that forward,” the Indian official said. “It obviously upsets people that the Jammu Kashmir did not receive a mention when the statement was put out in Ufa, but we see the talks as a positive development that should be taken ahead,” Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told India’s The Hindu newspaper.
While no dates have set for another meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz and his Indian counterpart, National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz and India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are expected to meet at a yet to be decided date in New Delhi in August, and could discuss a possible meeting of the prime ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s special session in September in New York this year.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk