News
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Pakistan, India agree to continue Kashmir talks* Both countries agree to continue discussions on Kashmir in purposeful, forward-looking manner with a view to finding a peaceful solution
* Agree on need to take measures to facilitate visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India, on Friday, while wrapping up a fresh round of peace talks, agreed to continue discussions on Jammu and Kashmir in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.
The two sides agreed on the need for promoting friendly exchanges and noted with satisfaction the progress made towards finalisation of the visa agreement which would help liberalise the visa regime and facilitate people-to-people, business-to-business and sports contacts.
Addressing a joint press conference after concluding the two-day talks, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao said the two sides discussed various issues in an open and constructive manner, and termed the talks very positive.
The two countries’ top diplomats said they discussed security issues, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, confidence building measures (CBMs) and friendly exchanges.
They said they also discussed measures for promoting cooperation in various fields, including facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.
They two secretaries said both the countries agreed to convene a meeting of the Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs to recommend measures for strengthening and streamlining the existing trade and travel arrangements across the LoC (line of control) and propose modalities for introducing additional Cross-LoC CBMs. The working group would meet next month. Under the resumed dialogue process, the foreign secretaries met in Islamabad on June 23-24 and agreed that the two countries’ foreign ministers would meet in New Delhi in July.
The two secretaries said the talks were held in a frank and cordial atmosphere, and reiterated their intention to carry forward the dialogue process in a constructive and purposeful manner.
They also decided to convene separate expert level meetings on nuclear and conventional CBMs to discuss implementation and strengthening of existing arrangements and to consider additional measures, which are mutually acceptable, to build trust and confidence and promote peace and security. Dates for the expert level meetings will be determined through diplomatic channels.
The secretaries noted that both the countries recognised that terrorism posesd a continuing threat to peace and security, and reiterated a firm and undiluted commitment to fighting and eliminating the scourge in all its forms.
They also agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism. The diplomats agreed that the people of the two countries were at the heart of relationship and that humanitarian issues should be accorded priority and treated with sensitivity.
The talks made better progress than expected, with India and Pakistan issuing a joint statement and the foreign secretaries appearing at a previously unscheduled joint news conference.
Salman Bashir told reporters that they were satisfied with the quality of talks, which were marked by understanding of each other’s sensitivities. About Jammu and Kashmir, he said, the two countries had their well-known position but, nevertheless, they agreed to continue to further discuss the issue with a view to finding a common ground.
In reply to a question about the Mumbai attacks, Bashir said the interior and home secretaries discussed the issue of terrorism comprehensively and there had been two-way communication on issues involved. “Pakistan understands concerns in India about the Mumbai incident and we believe that the issue of terrorism requires objectivity and collaborative approach,” he added.
Nirupama Rao said, “We are inspired by the goal of eventual normalisation of relations and resolution of the outstanding issues through peaceful ways and sustained bilateral dialogue.” She was of the view that there was a need to take incremental steps to promote mutual confidence and understanding. “We must do away with the shadow of the gun and extremist violence because it’s only in the atmosphere free of terror and violence that we can discuss the resolution of such a complex issue (as Kashmir). The ideology of military conflict should have no place in the paradigm of our relationship in 21st century,” Rao said.
Responding to a question about specifics of the Kashmir issue discussed in the meeting, she said peace and reconciliation should be step by step. About the incident of Samjotha Express bombing, Rao said, “India has stated clearly that once investigation is complete we will share the outcome with the Pakistan government.” agencies.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk